Obituary of Pamela Barscello

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Pam Barscello passed away on July 16th, 2023.

Pam lived her life to the fullest in a short time. Those who were fortunate enough to know her knew that she always dressed her best and had what she needed in life to make her happy. Family and friends meant the most to Pam, and we will always hold Pam close to our heart.

Raised in a large (extended) family, with many cousins, aunts, and uncles, who deeply influenced her idenity, where celebratng holidays and special occasions were a common occurrence. She continued these traditions as an adult, hosting large family gatherings in her Winnipeg home. Family, music, and celebrations were a way of life for her.

She began working at a young age, and her charismatic and bubbly personality made her successful, and many friends. She was bold, strong-willed, and beautiful, which perfectly suited a career in sales. She started on the store floors of Dominion and Safeway grocery stores. As employment opportunities grew, she moved into her regional sales roles for a variety of food brokerage companies. Her job had her travelling across Northern Ontario, and then later into Manitoba. She was hard working and accomplished in her career. She loved her work and made lifelong friends along the way.

She prized her time with animals, at a young age, she and her sister would take every opportunity to shovel out horse stalls at the John Street riding stables to earn riding time. She loved horses and always had other animal companions throughout her life.

Pam’s pride and joy was her son, Jonathon. She ensured he was well looked after. With help from Nanny, they brought him up in Thunder Bay in his most impressionable years, moved to Winnipeg when he was young, and eventually made it their home.

High school football brought the two closer together in many respects, and eventually made Pam an unlikely fan of the NFL. She hosted Philadelphia Eagle’s games on Sundays with Jonathon and his friends. She cherished this time. Jonathon’s friends were very important to her, and her motherly love reached out to many.

Make no mistake, Pam could be difficult, stubborn, and strong-willed, but she never wavered on a true friendship, and she would defend friends and family to the end. The size of Pam’s heart exceeded her capacity to give, but she was willing to give the shirt off her back for the ones she loved.

She spent time at Addictons Foundaton Manitoba (AFM) in Winnipeg, where she earned her “Blue Birds” for completing the program. She followed up this accomplishment by enrolling at Robertson College in Winnipeg and received her diploma from the Community Support Worker Program. The love and care that she showed so many throughout her life translated well into her new career as a Community Support Worker. She worked for different employers, including March of Dimes, Willow Place, and most recently Ma Mawi, providing care for women and families seeking shelter, and providing support for struggling youth. Pam built a strong network of great friends in this community that she would support, and then subsequently rely on. Lastly, she would foster a newborn child, Alexandre, this brought new life to her.

She succumbed to her batle with mental health on July 16, 2023, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of 61.

She is predeceased by her parents John & Jean (nee Genyk) of Thunder Bay, Ontario. She is survived by her son, Jonathon Barscello of Winnipeg, Manitoba, her sister Darla McCart (Mark) and brother Jim (Dayna), nephews; Tyler McCart, Trevor McCart, Dylan McCart, Caley Barscello, and niece Jena Barscello.

A celebration of life will be held in Thunder Bay in the Spring of 2024. More details will be released in the new year.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations by made to Addictions Foundation Manitoba and/or Canadian Mental Health Association-Winnipeg.