Pamela “Pam” Grey Mills Casagrande
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Pamela “Pam” Grey Mills Casagrande passed from this earth April 14, 2024, surrounded by family; she was 86 years young.
Pam was born March 12th, 1938, in Waukegan, Illinois to Bud and Helen Mills; she was raised in Denver, Colorado.
Upon graduation from high school, Pam attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and graduated with honors in 1960.
Pam went on to earn a Masters Degree in English Education from Indiana University and it was there that she met and married Peter Casagrande in 1962. They remained a devoted couple until her passing.
Pamela is survived by husband Peter, daughters Teresa Casagrande and Elizabeth Shields, and her two sons Chris and Vincent Casagrande. Pam was preceded in death by her daughter Antonia Casagrande. She is also survived by six grandchildren.
Settling in Lawrence in the late 1960s, Pam taught English as a second language, before becoming the director of religious education at St. John’s Church in Lawrence. Pam was a founding board member of the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutritional Kitchen, spending a decade as treasurer, secretary, and writing grants.
Pam was also the chair of the Douglas County Aids Project for several years, twice winning the Wallace Galluzzi Volunteer Award for her dedicated work in the AIDS community. It was also during this period that Pam earned her second Masters Degree, from Loyola University of New Orleans, in Pastoral Theology.
In her brief spare time, Pam was an accomplished cook, master gardener, and she was a rabid Jayhawk fan. She was also the greatest Pama (grandma with a P), any child could want.
To sum our mother up in her own words, we offer this quote from her Galluzzi award acceptance speech. “My daughter’s illness illuminates the fact that death will come to us all and not in the way we choose and probably not when we choose. It underscores the fragility of life and forces me to live as a more compassionate and fully alive person.” We love you
A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00 ~ 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS.
Memorial contributions may be made in Pamela’s name to LINK and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
To the Casagrande family,
I’m sorry to learn of Pam’s passing. I first met Pam when she was the Director of Religious Education for St. John Church, Lawrence.
Keep your fondest memories of her close to your heart.
May God grant you peace at this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I knew her from church. She was so dedicated and gave so much to our community.
I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers for peace are with to your family.
So sorry for the loss for an amazing women. Pam was always ready with a smile and words of wisdom, even in the grocery store aisle. You have lost a wonderful lady, but God has acquired an Angel.
Dear Teresa and Casagrande family, I am so sorry for your loss! You all are in my prayers! May the Lord’s love keep you, lift you up and give you peace with the knowledge she is home with the Lord.
Condolences to the Casagrande Family,
I met Pam at St John church many years ago.
She a very positive woman and accomplished so many things in her time on earth.
I will be keeping all if you in my thoughts and prayers as you grieve your beloved Pam.
Sincerely, Sue Glatz
I did not know Pam but all I can say is, that our community was blessed to have her in our midst.
Peter and family, I’m so sorry to hear about Pam’s passing. She was truly a one of a kind Saint. From DCAP to St. John’s, I appreciated all she did and shared with me, for me and for the Lawrence community. She was a great mentor in so many areas. I’m so sorry that life got in my way of spending more time with her in the last 25 years. She is missed already! Peace be with you all.
I took care of Peter on occasion with Keep Living At Home before I transitioned to working in funeral service myself, and I was sad to leave them. Peter & Pam were very kind, and I loved watering their plants and flowers outside for them. The name escapes me, but their sweet old poodle was a treat too <3 Rest in peace Pam