Pamela Gayle Ananis Doctor

08/14/1944 — 11/27/2024

Pamela Gayle Doctor was born to John Joseph Ananis and Harriet Ione Merryman in Topeka, Kansas. She passed away on Wednesday, November 27th, at the age of 80 years old.

Pamela lived in various cities as she grew up. She attended Washburn University and graduated in 1966 with her teaching degree in math. Then, she transferred to Iowa State University from 1966 to 1976. During her time there, she earned her master’s degrees in both psychology and statistics and finally earned her doctorate in statistics. While attending Iowa State University, she met her future husband. Steven and Pamela were married in 1968.

Steven and Pamela moved to Kennewick, WA in 1976 to work at Battelle. Over the next two years, they designed and built their house. They expanded their family in 1983 with a son and again in 1986 with a daughter.

Pamela worked as a statistician, scientist, project manager, etc. at Battelle, Bechtel Corporation, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory over her storied career. Pamela mentored and supported many young professionals in the STEM industry. She volunteered her time, skills, and energy at the Mid-Columbia Ballet for over 40 years as a board member and also performed in the Nutcracker party scene for a number of years. In her tenure on the board, she served in every board position and was the fundraising chair for 20 years. Pamela believed in the power and therapy of the performing arts. When she began to transition to retirement in 2010, Pamela became a Master Gardener where she left her mark on the community through her long hours spent at the WSU Master Gardener Demonstration Garden behind the Mid-Columbia Libraries and the annual plant sale. She served as secretary and president of the Master Gardener Foundation and took on the special project to create the memorial wall to honor deceased Master Gardeners. She also looked after maintaining the brick plaques at the entrance to the garden. While President, Pamela worked with many other Master Gardeners and the Washington State University Landscape Architecture students, to create an open-air Waterfall Classroom at the Demonstration Garden where up to 50 people can gather for lectures and events.

One of her escapes in the world was the weekend Rhodesian ridgeback rumbles/walks with her friends. She loved taking Pilates reformer classes at the local gym to stay in shape.

Pamela is survived by her husband, Steven; her son and his wife, Jay and Arunima; her daughter, Agatha; her younger sister, Carol; one dog; two cats; and four grand kitties.

https://www.sunsetgardenstricities.com/obituary/2024/11/pamela-gayle-doctor/