Pleasant temperatures, beautiful views as the sunset and fun conversations with good Rotary friends were the highlights of the first social since COVID interrupted our normal meeting and social routine last spring.October 29 was a perfect night to gather at the home of our Community Service Chair, Pam Cohen - it was her 65th birthday. Chris and Mike Krueger arranged for a birthday surprise for Pam and a treat for everyone in attendance - a serenade of hits from Old Blue Eyes - a Frank Sinatra impersonator.
Prior to the event, Dan and Colleen Coons collected birthday greetings to share with Pam at the event. Following is the collection they put together:
I like Pam because she was one of the first to warmly welcome me when I came to Mesa West back when Chandler North merged with you. – Lolita Wiesner -- I like Pam because I have never seen her without a smile! – Lolita Wiesner -
- Pam is “The Hostess with the Mostest”! – John Pennypacker -
- Pam is the most positive, upbeat person I know. – Chris Krueger -
- Pam’s smile is like sunshine. – Chris Krueger -
- Pam She loves everyone! – Chris Krueger -
- Pam gives the best hugs. – Chris Krueger -
- Pam knows everyone. – Chris Krueger -
- Pam is is the hardest worker ever! – Chris Krueger -
- Pam does all kinds of things in the background without seeking credit. – Chris Krueger -
- I can be my real self with her and she loves me anyway. – Chris Krueger -
- Pam would share anything she had. – Chris Krueger -
- Pam always has a good thing to say - even in a bad situation! -Melodie Jackson -
- Pam takes sincere interest in every project. -Melodie Jackson -
- Pam balances work and play better than anyone. -Melodie Jackson -
- Nothing can beat Pam’s smile! -Melodie Jackson -
- Pam makes every activity joyous. -Melodie Jackson -
- Pam has the biggest heart. -Melodie Jackson -
- Pam is the purest definition of friend. -Melodie Jackson -
- Pam is available- She is always there to help someone in need. -Greg Okonowski -
- Pam is accepting- She accepts others. –Greg Okonowski -
- Pam is so creative. -Greg Okonowski -
- Pam is a doer. -Greg Okonowski -
- Pam has sense of humor. -Greg Okonowski -
- Pam is assertive. -Greg Okonowski -
- Pam is loyal. --Greg Okonowski -
- Pam is honest. -Greg Okonowski -
- Pam is respectful. -Greg Okonowski -
- Pam is unique in all the right ways -Dan Coons -
- I love Pam because she is so welcoming and always smiling. – Shelly Romine -
- Pam shows up for everything, usually pulling her little wagon with her arsenal of resources. -Warren Williamson -
- Pam gives great hugs. -Warren Williamson -
- Pam always appreciates my jokes. -Warren Williamson -
- Pam is a shining light for everyone. –Colleen Coons -
- Pam is the model of who we all want to be. –Colleen Coons -
- Pam inspires all of us to be thoughtful and kind. – Colleen Coons -
- Pam has the cutest red sneakers. – Colleen Coons -
- I admire Pam because she is a “go get ‘em done” person. – Ray Smith -
- I envy her because she is so technically talented. – Ray Smith -
- I like her because she laughs at my jokes and teasing. – Ray Smith -
- I like her because she always greets me with a happy smile. – Ray Smith -
- I like her cute haircut. – Ray Smith - I envy her that she is so smart. – Ray Smith -
- I love how she is so very caring for every person she comes in contact with. – Ray Smith -
- I’m in awe of how she follows through so very completely. – Ray Smith -
- I compliment her because on the Guaymas Rotary trip, she would do anything to help. –
- Ray Smith - Pam always reaches out to everyone and makes them feel welcome and part of a meeting, group or activity. –Jim LeCheminant -
- She is truly amazing. – Jim LeCheminant -
- My mother leads by example. – Your Daughter, Alex Grey -
- She is empathetic by nature and has always made it a priority to lift others up. – Your Daughter, Alex Grey -
- She can talk to a complete stranger and make them her best friend by the end of the evening. – Your Daughter, Alex Grey -
- She is a jack-of-all-trades, and she will tell you “master of none”, but we know that isn’t true. – Your Daughter, Alex Grey -
- She made me memorize the soliloquy from Macbeth when I was 5 years old, she showed me art, and taught me history, she opened my eyes to the world and told me nothing was out of reach. – Your Daughter, Alex Grey -
- I know she sacrificed for me, I know she put me first at every turn, but she never showed it or reminded me of those bitter facts of parenthood. – Your Daughter, Alex Grey -
- She let me stand on her shoulders so I could see further, and never once faltered. Everything I am, I owe her, because she led by example. – Your Daughter, Alex Grey -
- I love Pam because she gets it done - whatever it is. You can always count on her. – Wendell Jones -
- After my committee and I get the weekly speakers lined up, Pam connects with them and sets up their zoom connection. Whatever needs doing, Pam does it. And she’s also so kind and loving to all! – Wendell Jones -
- Pam is so friendly and caring. Even as a newer member to the club, Pam makes you feel like you’ve known her 10+ years! – Greg Bouslog -
- I love Pam because she looks at me in the eyes when I talk to her. I know she’s really listening! –Amanda Rosenberg -
- Because Pam genuinely cares, I have never met a person so giving and thoughtful. I am blessed to have her as a friend. – Ron Thompson -
- I love Pam, because she always gives with a full heart, to anyone, in need. – Jack Rosenberg -
- Pam is a kind, loving & compassionate woman, who always finds the good, in others. – Jack Rosenberg -
- She lights up the room, with her delightful smile. –Jack Rosenberg -
- Pam always has a smile on her face… I have never seen her down 😊 Geoff White -
- We love Pam because she embodies everything wonderful in a kind, loving, giving, thoughtful, genuine and hardworking spirit. –Sharon and Don -
- Pam was the first person to reach out and get acquainted with me when I first visited Mesa West. Because of her warm welcome, I did not waste time visiting other clubs before starting the process to transfer my membership from London Bridge Rotary in Lake Havasu. I’ve seen that same warmth sincerely shared with countless others since then. It is clear her warmth and enthusiasm about everything good in life is simply who she is. To know her is to love her! -Jeanie Morgan -
- Pam is so easy to tease and because she is just like her dad. –Mike Krueger -
- A true friend; Genuine; Giving – I wish I could be like her – She is a natural “giver”; Big hearted; Helpful; Smart; A wonderful mother and Bubbly; Always smiling; Adventuresome and fun – Polly Cady -
- I admire Pam, the talented artist that many do not know about - Lucinda -
- Pam is loved for her culinary expertise. Exquisite presentations! - Lucinda -
- The epitome of an attentive hostess, that is Pam - Lucinda -
- Pam, a friend who will drop everything if you are in need - Lucinda -
- From her mermaid ball gown to countless camisoles and blue jeans. Such Style! - Lucinda -
- Pam is like a breath of fresh air every time I see her. -Bert - There is nobody as genuine and caring than Pam. - Bert -
- Pam is so creative and fun. No better party planner anywhere. -Bert -
- Her smile and persistent positive attitude are infectious. – Ed - She makes me smile. – Lola -
- Whenever there is an event, you know things will be under control when Pam arrives with her fully stocked “party wagon”! For hosts, she is the most willing help you will ever have!! –Jane and John Benedict -
- I love Pam because she is always so cheerful and does so much for Rotary - Erwin Reimann -
- Roses are red, violets are blue, Pam adores ROTARY, and also loves YOU! Daryl Bethea -
- I love Pam because she is an important part of our Guaymas team. She is always the first to volunteer to do an assignment no matter what it is. She has such compassion for our patients and the volunteers love her. “…Where NEVER is heard a discouraging word, And the skies are not cloudy all day”. Pam always is there to cheer me up when I feel overwhelmed and is so supportive of our mission. That’s why I love Pam. Happy Birthday, Pam. Bob Jensen -
- Always positive happy and smiling, even when life is difficult – Jim Schmidt -
- Willing to do anything to help, first to volunteer even with many things on her plate - Jim Schmidt -
- Selfless servant and the epitome of service above self- Jim Schmidt -
- Quick to hug, quick to accept, and quick to forgive- Jim Schmidt -
- Dedicated reliable grateful and humble- Jim Schmidt -
- Pam is a special person and being her friend is a gift to me. If you have something you need done perfectly, ask Pam. – Don LaBarge -
- I was in Tucson and had a flat tire and I called Pam to help me, sure enough 2 hours later she showed up and changed my tire for me! –Don LaBarge