Merry Christmas to All

Being in the retail business at Christmas is dumb, everyone else has to be taken care of first, so here I am again, sending my Christmas greetings at the last minute. Thank you all so very much for your wonderful words, kind sympathy, donations in Paul's name and support of me during this difficult year. I wish for each of you the Merriest of Christmases and for us all, a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. We all need a better 2012! Please remember our classmates who are not well at this time in your prayers, and a special holiday thank you to all our Veterans. May all our departed classmates be well-remembered by us all.

Beach Boys Readying to Celebrate their 50th

Recently listening to TV as I work at my desk I have learned of two upcoming 50th anniversaries, and it continues to blow my mind that these things happened so long ago. I just don't seem to get how we can be old enough to remember things that happened FIFTY years ago.

The Arch will begin receiving some new surroundings. A lid will be built over the I 70 depressed lanes so that one can walk uninterrupted from the Old Courthouse to the Arch grounds. This project, funded by MoDOT and a grant, probably some federal funds too, is promised to be finished by the 50th anniversary, which all of us know only too well will occur in 2015.

The Beach Boys are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a tour, CDs, a movie and lots of fun appearances. That's another mind-boggler to me. Although I must say Brian Wilson has not fared so well as many of the men in our class!!!! However, his sound is still great. They'll have a tour in April. Ninth grade was a good time for us as a group I think, I'd love to hear some of YOUR 50 year old memories - would you want to be 14 again? I'm not sure I really really know that answer for myself. Of course, YES jumps right out, but maybe not, it's a crazy and often stupid world out there 50 years later!

Pam Wiebe Mann passes away

A quick note as I must leave momentarily, but I just learned Pam died today, 12/21/11, after a fast but furious battle with lung cancer. Her memorial service will be Friday, 11:00 at the Wesley Chapel at the Church of the Resurrection, 135th and Roe in Kansas City with a reception to follow. Will post more as soon as I can. May she rest in peace and love. Thanks to Lou Gossett Wanamaker for sending this information. [later] Unless your heart is made of stone, the following message written by Pam just 5 days ago will touch you deeply:

Dear Family & Friends-

I hope that this email finds all of you well and that you are enjoying the time before the holidays. A number of you have reached out to me and my family and I apologize if I have not been able to respond to you but know that your kindness and love has been appreciated. It’s been awhile since I last updated you on my health so I would like to take this opportunity to do so.

My awesome doctors & nurses have helped me beat the pneumonia and whatever other infections were troubling me. Unfortunately, the tumor in my lung is growing at a very rapid pace and my body is too weak to start chemotherapy or any other cancer treatment. With the help of my children, we have made the difficult decision to come home and work with a wonderful hospice organization that will help us manage this process. Although the prognosis is dire, I am uplifted by my faith, my family and my friends.

Please feel free to contact Tracie or Eric (contact information below) if you would like additional information. I am having difficulty speaking so the best way to contact me is through email or my children; I may not be able to respond but I will make sure to read your message. I know that God is with me in this journey and there are great things in store. Until we meet again, I love you all. -Pam

Tracie Mann: 913-544-3038, traciebmann@gmail.com

Eric Mann: 913-515-7783, eric@mdmgt.com

Thanks to Janet Porte Fatall, Ric Porte & Peggy Kramer for making sure I had this information so I could share it with our classmates. Another of our friends gone way too soon. So long dear friend. Go to www.khs65.com, 2010 album page 9 and 10 to see several photos of Pam and pals at our 45th reunion.

Here is Pam's Obituary from the Kansas City Star

Knowing on-line obituaries often disappear, I am copying it here:

PAMELA Wiebe MANN Obituary

Pamela S. Mann, 64, Leawood, KS, passed away December 21, 2011. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 23rd, 11:00 a.m. in the Wesley Chapel at Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS 66224. Pam was born April 21, 1947 in St. Louis, MO, daughter of Chuck and Lona Wiebe. She attended the University of Missouri and Bradley. She married T. Nelson Mann in 1968, they later divorced. She had worked as an elementary school teacher in North Carolina and Missouri, followed by a long philanthropic career working for non-profit organizations including Gillis Center, Women's Employment Network, and Safehome. Pam recently retired in February of 2011. Of many, she most notably volunteered for the American Cancer Society and Young Matrons. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection and actively participated in her small group, S.O.S. Her grandchildren, traveling, spending time on the beach and at the Lake of the Ozarks are some of the things Pam enjoyed most. She is survived by her children Tracie Mann (Joe Garcia) and Eric Mann (Jenni Mann); grandchildren Avery and Gavin Garcia; sister Kristi Auer (Nick); brother Chas (Robin); many nieces, nephews, cousins, and best friend, Linda Eveans. In lieu of flowers, mom would love donations made in her name to the Church of the Resurrection. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah- freeman.com. Mt Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home. 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO 64131. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Kansas City Star on Dec. 22, 2011.