Pamalee Gloria Clark Avery passed away with her sons by her side, on Thursday, December 2, 2021, in Rancho Mirage, CA. She was 93 years old.
Pam was born in Imlay City, MI, on April 16, 1928, to John and Beatrice (Thick) Clark. She attended country school at the Erity School House in Goodland Township then Imlay City Schools. She graduated in 1946, along with her future husband, Chuck Avery. During her high school years, Pam became an accomplished pianist, studying under Bernice Van Husen and performed solo and group recitals, including at the Detroit Institute of Arts Lecture Hall. She went on to attend Cleary Business College in Ypsilanti, MI, where she completed her secretarial certificate.
Pam and Chuck were married on September 10, 1947, at her parent’s home. They lived in Flint for a year while Chuck completed his Associate’s Degree at Flint Junior College and Pam was a secretary at Chevrolet. They moved to Chicago while Chuck attended Loyola University College of Dental Surgery, and Pam served as an executive secretary at Sawyer Biscuit Company.
They moved to Almont where Chuck opened his dental practice in the Tabor Building, and they raised their family. Pam was a Sunday School teacher at the First Congregational Church and played piano for the Kindergarten Rhythm Band. For over 20 years, she was involved in Girl Scouts in Almont, Imlay City and with the Fairwinds Council.
Like Chuck, Pam was a medal winning runner. She ran marathons in New York and Paris, as well as countless other races. Serious about her health and running training, she often finished at or near the top of her bracket. She enjoyed yoga, snow and water skiing and was affectionately nicknamed “Banana Peel Pam.” She visited the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, TX, where she received a certificate for achieving the longest duration on their stress test of any woman in her age bracket.
Pam and Chuck retired to Hutchinson Island, FL and enjoyed traveling in their various motor homes and Cessna airplanes, and as throughout their lives, Pam served as Chuck’s able copilot. Alaska was a favorite destination, but they also traveled throughout North America, and visited Central America, Europe and Asia. Faith was an important part of their lives as members of the Lutheran Church in Imlay City and Palm City, FL. In her last years, after Chuck’s passing, Pam enjoyed fellowship at a nearby Unity Church.
Pam is survived by her children, Lynne (Kurt) Hollweg, Brent (Patrice) Avery and Lane (Georges) Avery; her grandchildren, Elena (Charlie) Wollborg, Alexa Stone and Cameron (Leann) Hosner; and her great-grandchildren Lanagan and Cooper Wollborg, Isabel and William Stone and Brielle, Caroline and Jacob Hosner.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Dr. Charles Avery; her grandson-in-law, Kevin Stone; her parents, John and Bea Clark; and her father and mother-in-law, Dallas and Lillian Avery.
A private family memorial will take place at the Imlay City, MI Township Cemetery.
