Pamela Albarado

Pamela (“Pam”) Marie Albarado (Richard) passed peacefully at her home in Traverse City on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Pam was born on August 7, 1948 to Ellsworth and Donna (Pelky) Richard.

She is survived by her husband, Fred; children, Brett, Bartt, Brian, Brad, Bruce, Len, and Mia; many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and siblings Orville and Sherry.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Mark and Garth.

Pam was born with cerebral palsy and learned to walk three times before high school. These successes imbued Pam with positivity, faith, and a determination for independence. She put the needs of others before her own, as exemplified by her work at FLEC’s and her role as the Executive Director of the Bay Area Coalition for Independent Living, where she advocated locally and in Lansing for community members with disabilities.

Pam and Fred retired to Grantsburg, Wisconsin in 2003, where they fished, travelled to Mexico, and enjoyed time with her brothers and sisters-in-law. In 2023, Pam moved to Medilodge, where she and the girls loved cruising the streets of Suttons Bay.

Pam saw the good and worth in everyone she met and sought to spread joy to others. Please join us in celebrating Pam’s life at St. Patrick’s in Grawn, at noon on Friday, April 26, 2024. The family will greet friend starting at 11:00 am. A light luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Disability Network Northern Michigan.

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