Pamela Parks ... was head cheerleader at Spaulding High

ROCHESTER - Pamela Parks was born in Rochester on Dec. 16, 1943, to Henry and Mildred Nute Vachon. A loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, she left this world peacefully and entered the gates of Heaven at Concordia Skilled Nursing Facility in Cabot, PA on Wednesday, November 17, 2021.

A kindhearted, generous, and faithful friend, Pam was a resident of Parks Township, Pa., for 57 years. She was a devout Christian and loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all of her heart, mind, soul, and strength. She was a member of Harvest Baptist Church in Natrona Heights, Pa., for 32 years.

Pam made lifelong friends who loved and cherished her and her kindness extended to all who knew her.

Creative and talented, Pam was the head cheerleader at Spaulding High School and she was voted "Miss Congeniality" in the 1962 Miss New Hampshire Beauty Pageant. Later that summer she met the love of her life, John Parks, who was serving in the Navy. A fellow sailor from her hometown described her as looking like the movie star Kim Novak and set them up on a blind date. Soon following, Pam became a licensed beautician.

After they were married, Pam took on her favorite hard working job as a stay at home wife and mother.

Pam loved to bake and cook and was famous for her chocolate chip cookies, whoopie pies, and apple crisp desserts.

The oldest of two children, Pam was preceded in death by her parents and her step-mother, Janet Vachon. She is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, John Parks of Parks Township; brother Paul Vachon (Joni) of Venice, Fla., stepsisters Julie Lapierre, Susan Raab (Donald), and Melanie Gagnon (Michael) all of Rochester; children Christopher Parks (Sheila) of Gallatin, Tenn., Erik Parks (Jennifer) of Seaford, Del, Todd Parks (Heather) of Lantana, TeXas, and Troy Parks (Heather) of Parks Township. Pam was the proud Mamaw to 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and aunt to many nieces and nephews. Her best friend of over 50 years was Cyndy Lingenfelter.