A Tribute to Pam Pratt
The staff and board members at the Bureau County History Center and Bureau County Historical Society are saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague, Pam Pratt.
Pam died Monday morning, April 28, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, after a courageous battle against cancer.
The following statement is issued by Lex Poppens, executive director of the Bureau County History Center and Bureau County Historical Society; Jessica Gray, curator of the BCHC; Dan Martinkus, president of the BCHS board; and Jim Dunn, president of the BCHC board:
“We offer our sincere condolences to Pam Pratt’s family and friends.
We wish the public to know that Pam was a consummate professional, through and through. As our sales and sponsorships associate, Pam helped the History Center improve its game by selling advertisements in our newsletter, The Chronicle, as well as securing sponsorships that helped to pay for History Center exhibits and to support other aspects of our operation.”
Pam was active in History Center operations until the end. The Friday before she died, she was still on the job in service to an organization she came to love.
Her enthusiastic involvement in the History Center greatly helped our efforts to collect, preserve, and share the fascinating history of Bureau County.
Pam was a hard worker who wanted to do her very best. She always looked for ways to improve any organization to which she belonged. That included the Bureau County History Center, the Princeton Rotary Club, the Princeton Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, and the Bureau County Republican in the past.
Pam was a devoted friend who was always there to help in a time of need.
She loved working in her garden. She especially loved tulips, zinnias, and peonies. She was most proud of her three children and two grandsons, whom she adored.
She was passionate about rescuing homeless or needy animals and felt called to adopt elderly dogs. She loved her late dogs, Cookie and Louise, her late cat Bama, and her current rescue cats, Carl and Gray.
Pam’s character traits included being cheerful, positive, supportive, loyal, friendly, helpful, kind, and brave.
Especially brave. The courage and positive attitude she displayed in her fight against cancer were inspiring to see.
Pam Pratt was one of a kind and a sweet, sweet soul. She will be missed.
