Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Pamela Sue Davidson Jussila was born in Santa Paula, California, on April 1, 1955. Her dad worked construction, so they made many moves. Pam was born after Douglas, but before Daniel, Naomi and Barbie, of the living children.
The family lived in Roosevelt, Washington, before moving to Vancouver, Washington, after which they moved to Goldendale. All of the children found their spouses here. I first met Pam at a blood drawing at the Methodist Church. She was serving cookies and drinks. We started dating in December 1971, and after six months of dating, we were engaged for nine months and married on March 11, 1973.
Pam had an aunt, Muriel, who worked 25 years at a Red Cross center in San Jose. She was her role model and dreamed of being a registered nurse like her. We moved to Vancouver, where she enrolled in the nursing program. She graduated in 1978. Her first job was at Holliday Park Hospital in Portland, Oregon, for four years.
I got a job in Goldendale, and we moved back. Pam and I wanted children but didn’t want to raise them in Portland. Pam got a job at Klickitat Valley Hospital, the beginning of 19 years there. We adopted our first child, Matthew, in April 1991. Our new and exciting life began. We thought this was easy, let’s get a couple more, so we did — Tyler and Dennis — and found we needed more than just love to raise three boys.
A new chapter of opportunities for Pam: She started at Mid-Columbia Medical Center for the next 20 years and retired in 2022. She survived breast cancer in 2005. She hurt her ankles, knees, and hip over a period of time.
We enjoy going to the beach, visiting family and huckleberries at Mount Adams. We have six grandchildren, who we love and adore. Pam, much like her mom, loves to teach them songs and read to them.
Pam started to have stomach pains last August. Doctors took out her gallbladder. She continued to have pain. With an additional ultrasound, they found cancer on her pancreas that had traveled to her liver. Doctors began chemo treatment immediately, and she showed some improvement but only for a short time. We were waiting for a miracle or end of life, because of the intense pain. As a family we worked tirelessly in shifts to turn her and make her comfortable. The doctor stopped chemo on June 10 said it would hurt rather than help her.
One day as I was leaving, I kissed her forehead, she said, “My lips are cold;” she repeatedly stated that hearing is last to go. I told her she was still the most beautiful woman in the world to me. She died Saturday, June 28, 2025, in the morning.
A celebration of life was held at Community Grace Brethren Church in Goldendale on July 12. Arrangements are under the direction of Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel, 300 W. Broadway St., Goldendale. Visit www.gardnerFH.com to share a story or leave a note for family.
To plant a tree in memory of Pamela Jussila as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.