Pamela  HUTTON

Obituary of Pamela Ann HUTTON

August 5, 1937 – Georgetown, British Guiana

January 15, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

 

Pam Hutton, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2021, at the age of 83 years.

 

Our dear mom, Pam, was born in Georgetown, British Guiana on August 5, 1937, to Bernard (Bunny) Smart of Brighton, England, and Annie Del Castello of Dutch Guiana. Second, of six children, Pam moved with her family at the age of three to Trinidad where she grew up on a sugar plantation near San Fernando.

 

With Pam’s love of adventure, she joined British West Indian Airways at the age of 19. As an accomplished and confident Stewardess, Pam did not suffer fools or transgressors gladly. She was the cabin authority on her many flights (about 3,600) to Miami. Once, a well-known Miami Mafia kingpin, Dusty Peters, had the audacity to light up a cigar on one of her flights whereupon she snatched it out of his mouth. He was not pleased but respected her for it. Pam travelled the world and often reminisced about her love of Africa and exciting nights out in New York City.

 

Stationed in the Bahamas, Pam met a Canadian, Donald Hutton. They married and welcomed two children. With a move to Edmonton, AB Pam continued her work in travel with Canadian Pacific Airlines and introduced her family to the joys of new experiences – with spontaneous trips on planes with last-minute availability. We would often talk about a weekend in Mexico on Monday mornings while attending high school classes.

 

Pam’s love of water brought her to Seba Beach, AB where her son designed the cabin he promised her from the age of 5. Mom spent years at Seba Beach enjoying her view, the breeze off the water, and sharing this with family and friends. It is mom’s love of water that sold her on a move to Canada’s eastern arctic, Baffin Island – ‘the world’s 5th largest island’ and later Victoria Island where she ran the Central Arctic Museum and Visitor’s Centre in Cambridge Bay, welcoming visitors from around the world as they transited the Northwest passage.

 

Pam attended Arctic College in Iqaluit and held several positions with the Nunavut Government and Canadian North Airlines. She made a success of everything she tackled from the tropics to the High Arctic. When announcing flights to Arctic destinations such as Igloolik, Pangnirtung and Qikiqtarjuaq in her beautiful accent and perfect diction, people commented that they thought they were in Heathrow. Pam loved the High Arctic and loved the Inuit who in turn loved her.

 

Through Pam’s love of her family and friends, she often hosted parties that always resulted in laughter and good food. Along with the laughter and great meals was music. Music was an important part of Pam’s life with the Ave Maria being one of her favourites to listen to and sing; She had a beautiful singing voice and sang at weddings and in choirs.

 

Pam was also a very accomplished seamstress and made beautifully styled pantsuits, dresses and bikinis and even elegant overcoats with a little tag on the collar stating, “Made Especially for You by Pam Hutton."

 

A cookbook (Island Kitchen) Pam wrote in the Bahamas and had published in New York remains a favourite of all who possess it. Now more than ever, these favoured recipes will continue traditions and honour memories of amazing meals.

 

Pam loved her family most. She held her children and later their families close to her heart. Mom blessed us all with knowing how much she loved us.

 

Pam is survived by Donald Hutton, her daughter and son-in-law, Tracy and Mike Neumann (Thomas (Payton) and Madison) of Calgary, AB; and son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Shelly Hutton (Lauren and Alexander) of Calgary, AB. Pam is also survived by her sister Lola of Australia, and brothers, Brian, Stephen and Ian of BC; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Pam was predeceased by her parents, Bunny and Annie, and her brother Geoffrey.

 

A celebration of Pam’s extraordinary life will take place near the water at Seba Beach, AB in the spring. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

 

In living memory of Pam Hutton, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Share Your Memory of
Pamela