Submitted by: Dan Rich

Pamela Sue Bergen

Sept. 15, 1954 - March 5, 2002

South Bend Tribune 3/8/2002

Pamela Sue (Ray) Bergen, 47, of Pulling Street, South Bend, Ind., died Tuesday, March 5, in Hospice of St. Joseph County, where she had been admitted after an extended illness. She was born Sept. 15, 1954, in South Bend, to Bert "Pat" Ray and Marjorie G. Miller Ray, who preceded her in death. Pam graduated from the former Jackson High School and had traveled extensively in her youth, settling in South Bend.

On Oct. 18, 1991, she married Jeffrey W. Bergen, and his two children, Lyndsey and Zachary. She leaves to cherish her husband, Jeff, daughter, Lyndsey Rae, and a son, Zachary, all of South Bend; a brother, Robert Ray Harris of Darmstadt, Germany; two sisters, Jackie Ray (Stephen) Ford and Debbie Ray, both of South Bend; three nieces, Peggy Nunley of Decherd, Tenn., Lauri Rixom of Atlanta, Ga., and Kristi Parri of Salsomaggiore, Italy; one great-niece, Lisa Nunley; and a great-nephew, Liam Rixom. She also leaves behind a loving mother-in-law, Sue Bergen, and two devoted sisters-in-law, Julie Wonisch and Jill Fowler. Her father-in-law, Bill Bergen, preceded her very recently in death. Having lost her parents when she was very young, Sue and Bill became her adopted parents when she married Jeff, and she was devoted to both.

Pam spent her leisure time in the garden and loved to cook and can the fruits of her labor. She was a den mother for Zach's cub scout troop, loved to go camping with her family, and enjoyed playing bocci ball and poker with good friends. She was very proud of Lyndsey and Zach, and loved her family and friends above all else. He warmth, wit and humor are the traits we will always treasure. As her daughter Lyndsey said, she was fun and she was funny. A loving wife, a wonderful mother, a devoted sister, an affectionate aunt…her courage and humor during her long illness sustained all who loved her. She will be in our hearts forever.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. today, March 8, in Morning Star Funeral & Cremation, 21275 W. Cleveland Road, South Bend. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family.