Pamela Lucille (Greabeiel) McConwell

Pam McConwell (Greabeiel) passed away Sunday, September 29th, 2024 surrounded by family and friends at Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility, Long Term Care in Maple Creek. Pam was born to Marshall and Mary (Crandall) Greabeiel on March 19th, 1945, and was raised in Piapot, SK, along with her brother Patrick.

Pam loved music and began to learn to play the piano at a young age. Her hearing impairment never stopped her from learning and developing her skill and ability, and sharing it with others. She played for the Catholic church in Piapot and proudly stated that she was the last piano player in Howard ‘Put’ Coulter’s orchestras that played for many community dances and events in Piapot. Pam continued to share her talent on the piano and organ until as recently as January of this year. She led music ministry for St. Lawrence Parish in Maple Creek; St. Anne Parish in Gull Lake, and played weekly at the Long-Term Care Facility and later the Assisted Living Facility every week.

Pam was a born teacher, mostly because of her love for children. After graduating high school, she received her Teaching Certificate from the Regina Teacher’s College. Pam began her long teaching career in Beauval Indian Residential School. While in northern Saskatchewan she taught at Whitefish Reserve and Victoire as well. Pam loved to share fond memories of her time teaching in the north and made lifelong friends during her time spent at Beauval especially, and at one point returned to Beauval as a childcare worker at the Residential School. During the summer Pam continued her education by taking summer classes and returning to university. She received her B. Ed in May 1978. Eventually Pam left the north and continued teaching in Richmound, Consul, and Maple Creek, where she stayed and retired. During her time teaching in Maple Creek, she also cared for her parents and brother until their passing.

Around the time of her retirement, Pam met Fred McConwell, from Consul. While offering time and care to his mother, whom she met in the hospital, Pam and Fred fell in love and were married in April 1985. Although their marriage was not as long as they hoped, Pam and Fred were very happy together and again, she provided care and service to a loved one, until Fred’s passing in July 1991.

 Pam was a faith-filled member of the Catholic Church, and although she has served the parish of St. Lawrence for the longest period of time, her impact was also felt throughout the community.  She joined, or when she saw the need, created ministry to help others. Pam was a member of the Catholic Women’s League for 47 years; served on Parish Council, led Bible Study and ‘RENEW’ groups. She saw the need and initiated the ‘Ministry to One Another’ program in the parish and was pivotal in starting Palliative Care Service for the community of Maple Creek. Pam served on the local and regional board of the Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services and was a tireless advocate for those who struggled with hearing impairment. She volunteered for several years serving and ministering to the residents of the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge on the Nekaneet First Nation.  Always the teacher, perhaps Pam’s biggest impact was on the children she served in the parish of St. Lawrence. She taught religious education, and Sacramental Preparation to many children of the parish, and extended her love of children further, by writing and directing biblical based plays that the children performed for the parish and greater community.

Pam was a friendly, generous person who was always one of the first to reach out to new members of the parish and community. She embraced the Filipino families and their culture, always present at every party and celebration, and they in turn embraced and loved her. Pam’s love was not only for humans, but extended to all animals, especially CATS. She had 8 special cats in the last few years...Rosie, Sammy, Ebony, Panther, Treasure, Precious, Jewel and Puff. All her cats were well loved and well taken care of and could not have hoped for a better home.

Although Pam had no children of her own, she is a mother and grandmother to every Filipino family. She opened her home and heart to two Filipino adopted families who were there for her, caring for her until her last breath was taken. Pam may be gone, and missed but will always be in our hearts and never forgotten. Pam’s diagnosis of cancer hit her and her family hard, and they would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the doctors, nurses and especially the staff of Pines for providing care to her these past months. Thank you also to the friends, especially to those who travelled far to visit and spend time with Pam. Thank you to the members of St. Lawrence Parish and the Filipino community who supported, prayed for and gave of their time to be with Pam. The journey has been difficult and long but we know she is in the hand of our Creator...God Bless us All!

Prayers and Visitation Time:  Binkley’s Funeral Chapel (Maple Creek) October 3rd and 4th 5:00-8:00pm

Funeral Mass: St. Lawrence Catholic Church Maple Creek, Saturday, October 5th, 2024 10:00am

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