Dr. Pamela J. Botts
Share
Dr. Pamela J. Botts, 79, Lawrence, passed peacefully January 18, 2022 after a brief illness.
Pam was born February 5, 1943 in Lawrence, KS. She attended Blue Springs High School, graduating as Valedictorian. Pam continued her education at the University of Kansas, graduating with a B.A., Masters, and Ph.D. in Psychology.
Pam served the Lawrence and KU community as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Pam’s career included time with Bert Nash Community Mental Health and 29 years at KU’s Counseling and Psychological Services. One of Pam’s many honors was being named employee of the year in 2005.
Pam was preceded in death by her beloved Aunt Julia Botts of Blue Springs, MO.
Pam is survived by loving family members Carol Seivley of Lawrence, KS, Jean Peterson of Wadsworth, IL, Rick Knox Grain Valley, MO, and Nick and Alyssa Knox of Parkville, MO.
In addition to her family Pam is survived by the countless number of people she mentored and guided with profound care, thoughtfulness, wisdom, and compassion.
A celebration of life is planned for 11am February 5th at Henry T’s in Lawrence. All are welcome.
The family is grateful for the loving care Pam received from Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Pam’s name to the Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
The news of Pam’s death stunned me. She was real. “What you see, is what you get.” I hear her low voice, her laugh, and kind eyes as I write this. Pam’s passion for helping people have better lives kept us in intermittent contact. She was a colleague for decades, and in the middle of our time, part of my training in Clinical Social Work. The ripples of her life and work have benefited, and will continue to benefit, so many. My heart is with Pam’s closest ones, people and animals, in their love and grief.
WIth great sadness did I hear about Pam´s all too soon and all too sudden passing. She was a quiet force within the CAPS community, and those who had the privilege of learning from her, will hold her presence in their hearts and minds. May this be a comfort also to all her family and friends in this time of grief.
My interaction with Pam was a result of working together at Watkins Health Services and CAPS. When she had an issue we needed to discuss, she would come to my office and we would arrive at a resolution. I love the idea of celebrating her life with a gathering at Henry T’s. She is an individual who did touch the lives of many people in a positive way.
Pam was a guiding presence in my life as a colleague for decades through Bert Nash CMHC and in our private practices and consult group. When she left Bert Nash she handed off some of her clients to me, some of the most challenging and rewarding of my career. I’ve had numerous mentors who taught me a useful technique or kind of practice wisdom, but Pam showed a way to make a difference by being a powerful presence , an island of calm in the midst of the swirls of life. That calm was more profound b/c it was frequently punctuated with an unexpected biting sense of humor! What she provided for me in consultation when I had lost my way with a particular client is how she must have been with her own clients: a close listener who allowed us to get out of our own way and find a way forward. And I’m sure that would be her attitude to those of us mourning her passing: allow space for us to express our grief and then move forward with her memory to guide us. And cleansing laughter and the hugs of our pets.
We were stunned to hear of Pam’s illness and untimely passing. She was an incredible force to be reckoned with while having a dry sense of humor that cracked up “those in the know!” John had so hoped to take her to Henry T’s for a beer, but that was not to be. Her presence at CAPS has been missed greatly and we all have lost a special person who made the world a better place.
I am stunned and so very saddened to hear that Pam will not enjoy the long rich retirement she had surely earned and the world of so many in her orbit now must grieve her steadfast, kind spirit. Pam reminded me of a towering steadiness akin to a Mt Rushmore. She stood quietly and strong for layers of values and I found being with her invited reflection, reorientation, and a renewed sense of purpose. More than once, I sought her out with a concern that was distressing me and came away feeling as though I had visited a welcoming retreat. And then there was her wry and subtle humor always so witty and understated! Thank you Pam! You leave us better for having known you and you will be very much missed!
I was deeply saddened to learn of Pam’s passing. We met as colleagues at the Bert Nash Center and she quickly became my go to person for guidance and a good laugh. I benefitted equally from her wisdom and sense of humor. She had a remarkable talent for reflection on both complex and mundane issues. We occasionally met for a beer after our BNC days and continued that tradition after we went our separate ways. Some weeks ago we bumped into each other at the grocery store and recommitted to sharing a beer soon. Sadly, that will not happen.
And maybe most importantly, we often suspected that we were cousins. My mother’s maiden name is Botts and Pam was in the process of researching her family history. I always hoped she would discover a shared lineage. She will always be Cousin Pam to me.
Pam was so kind, compassionate, thoughtful and intelligent with a quiet dry wit that could always make you laugh. I hope that during her well-earned yet brief retirement, she was able to reflect on and appreciate the countless lives she touched during her career as a therapist and mentor. As my supervisor at CAPS, she shared her wisdom and expertise while exercising a seemingly intuitive balance between guidance and autonomy. In addition, she modeled diplomacy and boundary-setting, while gently encouraging the same in others. I will always treasure her consultation, conversation and friendship for the last two-plus decades. I am so sad that she was not granted more time to enjoy the fruits of her labor, yet so grateful that she blessed so many during her time on this earth. May memories of Pam bring comfort to her friends, family, and clients during this time of loss.
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”–Arthur Ashe
Pam frequently brought this quote up in our supervision sessions and it has impacted me ever since. I also feel that it sums up my memory of Pam: practical, realistic, and, most of all, compassionate and kind.
I feel much gratitude for Pam for all the good she has done in the world through her work with clients and in training new generations of mental health professionals (me being one of these fortunates). Sending love and wishes for wellbeing to her family, friends, and colleagues.
My sincerest Condolences. Pam shone a special beam that made CAPS the special place it was.
So sorry to hear about Pam’s passing! For many years I helped support Pam’s computer world, CAPS! It was always a special project she was looking for and always with her patients safety at the front. Prayers for her and her loved ones.
Pam had such a subtle and gentle way of mentoring that I often didn’t realize the gift she was giving me until much later. Her practical wisdom is reflected in the numerous things she said that I still remember 4 decades later. Pam was an invaluable touch stone as a colleague who was always well reasoned, insightful, deeply compassionate, and relentlessly respectful of clients. Her capacity for caring for both humans and animals was an inspiration for how to be a presence that touched more deeply than any therapeutic technique could do. Pam was also a generous and treasured friend who shared a broad range of passions and quirky interests. She knew both my weaknesses and strengths, often better than I did, and always related to me as if my strengths were much more important than my weaknesses. For these and so many other things, I’ll always be grateful to Pam; she was a unique gift to so many of us. My numerous personal and meaningful memories of Pam are a comforting treasure that still remains beyond her death; I wish the same for all who also feel the weight of grief with her passing.
I had the opportunity to work for CAPS for 20 years. Pam was the best supervisor you could ask for. She was straight forward and the kindest person I have ever known. She went out of her way to help others and when I told her she needed to retire to enjoy her life she replied that she was not done helping others. I’m glad she got the chance to retire only if it was short lived. Heaven has been blessed with a new angel. I will miss her a great deal.
Oh Pam your name popped up on Facebook and when I went to look , I found your obituary. I have missed visiting with you while I cut your hair. You are greatly missed