Pamela Diane Roberts, 46
Pamela Diane Roberts, 46, passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, in Spokane, Wash.
A small ceremony for family and close friends will be held at 10 a.m. at the Pack River Cemetery in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Saturday, July 29, 2017.
Pamela Roberts was born on April 20, 1971, in Crosby, Minnesota, to proud parents Steve and Barbara Stangel. The third of five children (one passed at birth) she grew up at first in Minnesota, until moving to Idaho with her grandmother who had cancer. Her mother met Rod Bristow and they married, adding two more siblings, Tammy and Jimmy.
As a headstrong young girl of 8, she boarded an airplane and flew to Minnesota to live with her father Steve and his new wife Bonnie, adding even more siblings to the mix, including a half-brother and sister, Josh and Heidi. Raised by a strong woman, Pamela, too, grew into a lovely and strong woman who would go on to marry twice before setting out on her own. Pamela, first and foremost, was a devoted mother who loved her children, Tyler and Megan, with her entire heart and soul. She adored her nieces and nephews, and her grandson was her heart. She was a beloved daughter, incredible friend, and the best sister one could have. She was incredibly kind and beautiful and would go out of her way to help others, every time.
Gifted with an incredible voice, she competed in many singing contests, including The Colgate Country Challenge, more than once! She was brave and daring and funny! In 2003, she suffered a car accident that would forever change her life in many ways, including the loss of her job due to injury, as well as becoming homeless. Pamela began sharing her story with others through her beautiful voice as a part of The Voiceless Homeless Choir for people in the SNAP program.
She was an advocate for the homeless and not only sang her own song “No Tomorrow” at their rally, she also spoke eloquently with legislators in Olympia at the Homeless and Housing Advocacy Day in Olympia in 2011. Former Gov. Christine Gregoire visited Pamela at her home in Spokane Valley, Wash., to discuss the importance of energy assistance in 2010. She even had an article published in Redbook Magazine, telling the story of her difficult story in an effort to once again help others. It is sad to think that someone so kind would be struck with even more adversity, but the one thing that never faltered was her love of her family, especially her children, Tyler and Megan, and her grandson, Liam.
She is survived by her stepdad, Rod Bristow; her children, Tyler Johnson and Megan Roberts; grandson Liam Brenner; sister Stephanie Gross; half-sister Heidi Weime; brothers Brian Stangel, Matthew Stangel, and James Bristow; half-brother Josh Stangel; sister-in-law Mindy Stangel; grandmother Ruby Bristow, many aunts and uncles, including Cheryl Myers; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Barbara Bristow and Steve Stangel; a brother, Steven Stangel Jr.; and a sister, Tammy Bristow.
Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook, for Pamela, at coffeltfuneral.com.
Final arrangements are entrusted to Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.