Our beloved mother, Shrub, sister and friend, Pamela Marie Cole, went to be with the angels on March 16, 2026. She was born on May 28th, 1946 to Earl and Isabel Dandrow in Grand Rapids. She was the oldest of five children and was raised on the family farm in Hilliards. She had a servant’s heart from the start, often volunteering her father (unbeknownst to him) to do work for the church. She was strong in her faith and a fierce advocate for those who needed it.

She raised her family in Bridgeport. She worked for the diocese of Saginaw in the Office of Liturgy for many years before accepting a position at the East Side Soup Kitchen. In her 23 years as the director, she touched so many lives and was instrumental in writing grants to secure funding for The Hunger Solution Center.

Over the years, she was bestowed many awards and recognition from the Saginaw community. She was the Grand Marshall of the Saginaw P.R.I.D.E Christmas Parade and was presented with the key to the City. She was made an associate of the Daughters of Charity, a community of women who have devoted their lives to serving the poorest and most abandoned individuals of society. She was presented with the Audrey Griffin Award by the East Side Soup Kitchen. There is now an annual award that is given to exemplary volunteers: The Pam Cole Spirit of the Kitchen award.

She loved her Detroit Lions – never wavering on her support for them. She also loved sunsets, mini-golf, and burgers on the grill. Most of all, she loved her family and was so very proud to call them hers. She also made sure that every night she was able to locate all of them on ‘Find my Friends’ before she went to sleep.

Pam is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Isabel Dandrow, Jack and Barb Cole, her brother Bob Dandrow and her special friend, Mimi Gabriel. She is survived by her children Daniel (Teri) Cole, Jennifer (Ron) Kessinger and Andrew (Krystal) Cole, her grandchildren Mackenzie (Steven), Jenna (Brendan), Drew and Cora. Her great grandchildren, Oakley and Della. Her siblings Tom, Kathy, Mary Ellen (Carl) and Chris Dandrow. Her nieces & nephews Jason (Trish), Jeff, Josh, Nick (Hannah), Christopher, Brandon and Amy, her extended family members, including Becky (Bruce) Zimmerman, David (Linda) Cole and Sally Cole. She is also leaving behind many cousins, and special friends, including Jo Infante & family, Katharine Tessin, Mark & Joyce DeWolf-Ott, Dallas Kerber, Jerry Wilburn, Mary Turner, Barb McMillin-Hargrove, Maryanne (Tom) Hoffman, Dave & Sally Daugherty, Marge & Bob Susalla, Rosalie & Bob Polom and Eileen Kaufmann. There are so many others that she held near and dear to her heart, too many to mention all by name.

A special thanks to the Covenant at Home team, especially Theresa, Kayla and Brooke, for taking great care of our Shrub.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 1:00pm which will take place at W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 5700 Dixie Hwy, Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may visit with family on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm at W.L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 5700 Dixie Hwy, Saginaw, MI 48601, and from 12:00pm until the time of service at 1:00pm on Saturday. Father Jack Johnson will officiate. In keeping with Pam's wishes, cremation will follow.

Donations can be made in Pam’s memory to the East Side Soup Kitchen, the Saginaw Children’s Zoo or the Andster Foundation.