Pamela Johnson

On April 8, 2024, Pamela Ann Johnson passed away in her home in Contoocook, NH, in comfort and surrounded by family and friends. She was 78 years young.

Pam was born on October 27, 1945 to Virginia and Edward Sabol in New York, NY. Pam grew up with her brothers, Paul and John, in upstate New York (mostly), and attended Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) and the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in music from Michigan. She went on to pursue a Master’s Degree at the University of Iowa (Iowa City).

Throughout her life, Pam was a passionate musician and band geek - clarinet was her main instrument, but she also played piano and taught clarinet, flute and saxophone. Most recently, Pam enjoyed playing bass clarinet (a new instrument for her) in the Hopkinton Town Band and at adult music camp at New England Music Camp in Maine (where she had been a counselor in college). Pam was an artist, applying her creative skills to calligraphy and, later, quilting – her vibrant quilts grace the walls, beds and tables of her children, grandchildren, former students and friends. Pam’s green thumb was legendary. She gardened in back yards in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Wisconsin and New Hampshire, generously sharing the fruits of her labor as produce, luscious baked goods, pickles, jellies and jams - Pam’s newest masterpiece was an inspired pear vanilla jam (aka “Crack”).

After moving to New Hampshire in 2022, Pam met, fell in love with and married Saundra “Sandy” Kent.  Pam is survived by her brother (John Sabol), her children (Heather and Cam Shilling), her grandchildren (Gavin and Miranda Shilling, and Alice, Kate, and Claire Gearing), and her beloved wife, Sandy.

Donations in Pam’s memory may be made to Granite VNA Hospice (Concord). https://www.granitevna.org/donate/