Pamela Sue Zakarian

Our beloved mom, Mimi, and friend, Pamela "Pam" Sue Zakarian, 66 years young passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at home, surrounded by her family. Pam was born on January 15, 1958, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Alfred and Betty Koziol. 

Pam fought a courageous two-year battle with ALS, showing the same strength and determination that defined her entire life. Growing up in Gering, Nebraska, she later moved with her family to Giessen, Germany, where she spent several cherished years during her stepfather’s military deployment. Pam often reminisced about the lasting friendships she made and her deep love for Germany, a place she always dreamed of returning to.

After several years in Germany, Pam’s family returned to the United States, where her stepfather was based in Killeen, Texas, before eventually settling in Salt Lake City, Utah. There, Pam began her remarkable 47-year career in the insurance field as an underwriter and manager. 

Pam was not only dedicated to her work but was also a beloved mentor and leader in the insurance industry. She earned the distinct 'Industry Person of the Year’ award from the Association of Wyoming Insurance Agents in 2021. Even after her devastating ALS diagnosis, Pam continued to give 110%, achieving extraordinary success and ranking as ‘Top Producer' during some of the most challenging times of her life.

Pam was a wonderful daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, godmother, and friend. Above all, she was an extraordinary mother to her two children, Christopher and Brittanie, and an adoring Mimi to her granddaughter, Nella. Pam’s love for her children and Nella was evident in every story she shared, always cherishing the moments spent with them. She was the soul of our family, and her presence here will be missed every day. 

In the last four years of her life, Pam found immense joy and companionship with her boyfriend, Rod Higgins. Together, they embraced life, traveling to the mountains, spending time with friends, and experiencing a love Pam had never known.

Outside of work, Pam found happiness in her garden, curating her beautiful home, planning perfect holidays, and making memories with family and friends. She loved the outdoors and always sought to create a warm, inviting space for those she cared about. 

Diagnosed with ALS in 2022, Pam approached her illness with the same determination that had characterized her life. She explored every holistic option and advocated for others facing similar challenges. Her resilience and hope were an inspiration to everyone who knew her. Even in the face of her terminal diagnosis, Pam brought so much joy and light with her bright smile, bravely facing each day without complaint. 

Pam’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Esperanza and Irma from HomeWatch for their compassionate care, as well as First Choice Hospice for the love and support provided during her final weeks. We will be forever grateful for the tender care our mother received. 

Pam is survived by her sisters, Terri (Gary), Chris (Bob), and Janine; her children, Christopher (Ali) and Brittanie; and the light of her life, her beloved granddaughter, Nella. She is preceded in death by her parents, Betty French and Alfred Koziol.

A Celebration of Pam’s Life will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverside Hotel in Boise, ID. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Pam’s memory to the Team Gleason Foundation.