ATHENS, Ohio –– Pamela Faye Vander Ark Harvey passed from this world on December 13, 2024 after a brief and courageous battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her spouse Aaron J. Harvey and her son Colvin Bel Harvey, her mother Helen Vander Ark, her brother Marc Vander Ark, sisters Julie Kirven and Jennifer Hayward and nieces and nephews Ella, Libby, Samantha, Ruth, Carson, Jack and Danny. She is preceded in death by her father Sherman Vander Ark.
Some glad morning when this life is over
I’ll fly away
To a home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly away
We remember our dear Pammy and Mom as the embodiment of concern and charity for others, both in her personal and work life. Over the course of the last five years Pam was a tireless caregiver to her mother Helen, who struggled with retinal pigmentosa and deafness. Pam would care for Helen once week a month in our home and made countless day trips to Akron to make sure Helen was cared for and comfortable.
Pam was very engaged with the local community from the very beginning of her professional career which spanned many local organizations, including roles as Executive Director of the ACCVB, Executive Director of United Appeal, accountant at HAPCAP, Assistant Director of Ohio University Alumni Services, child care specialist at COAD, and since 2020, with the Voinovich School as a grants accountant. She loved her work at the Voinovich School and Ohio University and will sorely miss her colleagues there.
I’ll fly away, oh, Glory
I’ll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away
What a short transit we are granted across this earthly demesne. We will remember Pammy as our favorite soccer mom, my favorite motorcycle passenger, a great cook and baker, an avid follower of all things BritBox, and a lover of the outdoors. She loved to sew and quilt and practice yoga regularly with Linda and Rick and her yoga posse. She loved Liverpool in the EPL, but never as much as #7 on Alexander United.
Just a few more weary days and then
I’ll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end
I’ll fly away
In her last months she was soothed by walks with her friend Sue and pup Daisy, by trips when strength permitted to discuss new sewing projects with her friend Kathy at the farmer’s market, and by frequent conversations with childhood friend Linda.
I’ll fly away, oh, Glory
I’ll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away
Yeah, when I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away
There will be a celebration of Pam’s life at 2 p.m. on January 3, 2025 at the Unitarian Fellowship, 184 Longview Heights Rd, Athens, OH 45701. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation or to the organization lobbying for assisted dying in Ohio at ohiooptions.org. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
I’ll Fly Away lyrics © New Spring Publishing Inc., Designer Music, Li’l Dave’s Music, Albert E Brumley & Sons
