February 9, 1934 – February 7, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Angeline Pansy Neidrauer (Woolsey), known as ‘Pam.’ Pam passed away just two days before her 88th birthday. Pam is survived by her brother Bill of Campbell River, son Allen of Courtenay, daughter Wendy (Joe) of Courtenay, as well as 6 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents Roland and Goldie Woolsey.
Pam was born in Nelson, B.C. on February 9th, 1934, and moved with her parents shortly afterwards to Bold Point, Quadra Island where her father worked at Bell’s Farm. The family then moved to Vancouver where brother Bill was born. Pam often spoke of fun times with her many cousins on the lower mainland, and kept in touch with them throughout her life. In 1943, the family moved to Cortes Island where Pam remained until she married Delbert Neidrauer Jr. in 1954, and eventually moved to Courtenay. Growing up on Cortes, she attended a one room schoolhouse and spent time beachcombing, nurturing creative pursuits, and developing skills in sewing, knitting, food preserving, baking, and cooking. Her knitting skills are legendary, with numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and many others being gifted her finely made creations. She was still knitting shortly before her death, doing her best to finish a sweater for her great-grandson Parker. Many thanks to Deb Inman for putting the finishing touches on the sweater so that Pam was able to give the sweater to him before her passing.
During early adulthood, she worked briefly at Painters Lodge, and later for a dry cleaner, and in food service. For most of her adult life she was a homemaker. She was a fantastic cook and baker. Her bread, buns, and pies were always popular. For several years she harvested fruit from the family’s small orchard and sold the fruit at a stand in front of the Powerhouse Rd. home. Always frugal, she managed to earn a good sum of ‘pin money’ from this pursuit over the years. In 1956 son Allen was born. Tragically, Pam’s and Delbert’s second son was stillborn, and as Pam was advised against another pregnancy, she and Delbert adopted Wendy in 1963. Living through the difficult years of the war and depression, like many of the era, Pam was not one to show emotions. The stoicism of the times meant that grief was not discussed. However, we surmise her infant’s death was something that impacted her tremendously. Pam and Delbert separated in the late 70’s and subsequently divorced, and Pam never again had a long-term partner or re-married. She remained close to the Neidrauer family who treated her well and stayed in touch with her. Over the years she enjoyed visits with a small group of friends with whom she shared hobbies of knitting, needlepoint, ceramics, and sewing. She also very much looked forward to conversations with her cousin Bob in Ontario about their shared interest in genealogy. A few years ago, she was able to visit Bob, and other family she’d never met. Over the years she devoted hours and hours to genealogy research and created elaborate family history books for Wendy and Allen, that are very much treasured.
Selfless and generous, Pam was always willing to help out, by babysitting her many nieces and nephews, house-sitting, and pet-sitting. Animals and children were drawn to her, and she delighted in their company. She welcomed Allen’s and Wendy’s blended and extended family members into her life, and considered them all part of her family. She lived a quiet, solitary life until moving in with Wendy and her family when diagnosed with terminal illness.
Allen and Wendy would like to sincerely thank the many kind and attentive caregivers over the last months – Dr. Thompson, the palliative nurses and home support team, and the family members who visited and helped with packing and moving mom out of her apartment. It is because of all of you that she was able to live comfortably, and was able to end her journey at home, which we know was her preferred place to be.
A simple Celebration of Life with refreshments will be held at the Comox Valley Funeral Home, 1101 Ryan Rd., Courtenay on February 25th from 3 pm to 5 pm. In the Spring, her ashes will be laid to rest at her parents’ plot at the Campbell River city cemetery.
Flowers gratefully declined. We welcome you to make a donation in Pam’s name to the Healthy Babies Program, Comox Valley Family Services (1415 Cliffe Avenue
Courtenay, BC, V9N 2K6) or to the Care-A-Van (Mail to 2800 Cliffe Ave Courtenay BC, V9N2L7 or donate online:
https://www.cvcareavan.ca/donate). Pam enjoyed donating her hand-knit baby blankets and outfits, scarves, hats, and gloves to these organizations over the years.


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