Panagiota (Pam) Gliatis
Panagiota (Pam) Gliatis passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 11, 2022 after a two year battle with cancer. She was 63 years old. She leaves behind her husband Doug, her children Samantha and Theo, her daughter-in-law Sabrina and twin grandsons Maximus and Arthur, as well as her sister Georgia and brother Taso.
Pam was a kind, compassionate and driven person. She was a wonderful mother, loving and inspiring, and a devoted partner and friend. She loved to garden, nurturing flowers, trees, herbs and a veritable jungle of houseplants. She was a voracious reader, especially fond of romance, fantasy and science fiction novels as well as wide ranging political, historical and scientific nonfiction. She did the New York Times crossword puzzle every Sunday, and she was a rigorous debater and engaging conversation partner. She was proud of her Greek heritage, throwing huge Easter celebrations over the years and passing delicious family recipes down to her children (who now both make a mean spanakopita). Pam and Doug loved to travel, and drove all over Canada and the United States, often with their two dogs Sheba and Potoula, adventuring, taking great photos, and eating great food. Pam loved swimming, and was always delighted to visit a new body of water, especially when there were turtles and other sea creatures to see.
Pam was committed to helping others her entire professional life, working in women’s centres, home care agencies, community resource centres, and ESL & settlement education. After moving to Squamish from Toronto in 1995, she became involved in nonprofit and public service organizations in her new community, including collaborating on the re-opening of the Squamish Food Bank.
Pam founded the Squamish Community Access and Training Centre, an organization that provided technology access and education to countless adults and children over the years. The organization grew under Pam’s leadership into The Hotspot, now a mainstay of downtown Squamish, providing community learning spaces as well as a cozy used bookstore. In recent years Pam worked in the Community Development department at Capilano University, teaching classes, training volunteer tutors, and supporting newcomers to Canada.
Pam had a long time to make peace with her illness, and she was very grateful for the support of her family, friends, and medical teams. She was so happy that she got to spend so much time with her beautiful grandsons before her passing. Thank you to everyone who visited, called, and otherwise helped ensure that Pam knew how very much she was loved.
There will be a small family gathering to remember Pam, and then her ashes will be scattered in the oceans and lakes that meant the most to her and her family. In lieu of flowers we ask that you consider a donation to one of the following causes that were close to Pam’s heart:
The Global Fund for Women provides flexible, timely grants to women’s groups around the world striving to improve women’s human rights.
https://www.globalfundforwomen.org
The Squamish Food Bank provides safe, dignified and secure access to nutritious food for all in times of need by offering ongoing food distribution.
https://squamishfood.ca/donate
Plan Canada focuses on providing food security and education access to children in vulnerable situations worldwide. Pam donated to them regularly.
The Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care provides services to allow palliative patients to stay at home while receiving care for a terminal illness. This is the service that supported Pam and her family during the last weeks of her life.
Kathy McKnight
Sincere condolences, RIP Dear Pam , a great wife , mother and yia yia, , so glad she had the last ten months with those awesome grandsons as well as her Toronto family. Pam instilled amazing qualities and work ethics in her children Samantha and Theo; sure to be passed to that newest generation.
Loved and missed by us , Kathy and David ( sister and brother in-law )
Jesse and Peta Hackett
We were sad to hear of Pam’s passing. We were both fortunate to have known her, both as my first employer as a teenager, and later as a friend when she welcomed us into her home for holidays and summer gatherings.
Kathy McKnight
Sincere condolences Doug,Samantha,Theo, and family!
RIP Dear Pam, a valiant struggle but we are so glad she had the last ten months with those awesome grandsons!
Pam was a fabulous Mom, instilling the best values in her children, a great wife, enjoying many travel adventures with Doug.
Will be remembered fondly, thought of often!
Sister and brother-in-law , Kathy and Dave
Georgia Peter
Pam, you will always be loved and remembered. Brilliant, generous, kind, funny… you gave the best hugs. We will miss you. Hard to believe you are gone.😪 I know how proud she was of Samantha and Theo…rightly so , you guys are amazing. Love you Pam . May you rest in peace. Well deserved. Know that your family ,will make sure that Arthur and Maximus, will know, how amazing you were and how much you loved them. Our Condolences to Doug, her family and everyone who loved her. 💞
Loreley Seymour
Our deepest condolences! RIP Pam. When Theo and Sabrina got married, we not only gained a son in law – we gained a family. Pam was open and loving with us all and will be missed. We will make sure that they boys know how much Yai Yai loved them and the look of joy she had holding them. Doug and Sam, know that I am here for you! Sending hugs
Helen Bomis Petropoulos
My most sincere sympathies to the family. Though life took us down different paths, Pam was a sister! My sincere condolences to her family! Helen
Deb Mills
Doug ,Samantha , Theo & family ; I am so sorry to read of Pam,s passing. I’m sure you have many great memories to help you through this difficult time. ❤️
Joanna Gliatis
Pam will always be loved and remembered. Our deepest sympathies . Love, Joanna ( Gliatis ) Markou & Family
Yasamin
My deepest condolences!
She was an amazing boss, my kids loved her and were looking forward to see her when they were coming to my work at welcome center
Aunt Rita (Mills)Tunnicliffe
Remembering the laughs and fun we had at gatherings in Peterborough when Doug and Pam came to Peterborough to visit the Mills family. Pam’s legacy is her beautiful family and the success of her hard work with Women’s issues throughout her whole career. Her beautiful spirit will be missed.
Panagiota Gliatis and Family
Pam was a beloved niece and cousin. Our deepest sympathies. May she rest in peace. Love, Aunt Panagiota, your cousins Tasso and Nick .
Aunt Rita (Mills)Tunnicliffe
Remembering when Pam and Doug would visit the Mills family in Peterbrough. Always laughter and fun. Pam’s legacy is her lovely family and the wonderful work she did to help others. Sincere condolences to Doug, Samantha, Theo, Sabrina, Max Arthur and the Gliatis family.
Love, Aunt Rita (Mills)Tunnicliffe
Audrey Hesson
Heartfelt condolences to Doug and the family on the loss of the special person in your lives. I knew Pam as the teen aged school chum my daughter brought home. She became part of the Hesson family of friends. Pam and Heather became lifelong friends always separated by geography . God made it possible for them to share a farewell visit.
Special people are forever in our hearts. Pam has taken her place in our memories.
Audrey Hesson & Family
Michelle Lebeau
It’s with a heavy heart that I write this. I know this is such a loss for Doug, Samantha, Theo and all other family members. While my heart is heavy, I also feel very uplifted by the memory of Pam. She was such a strong, warm, open woman who has touched many. And those hugs! Even throughout her illness, she showed such grace and acceptance. She will remain in my heart and thoughts always, as she will in many of the hearts she touched. She worked passionately to create a welcoming space for all in Squamish, and many, many people are grateful to her for this.
Heather Hesson
In sympathy and with love to all of you. I have no words.
Susan Timms
Dear Doug and Family, we were really sorry to hear of Pam’s passing . She was a wonderful person and a lot of fun to be with. Know that our thoughts are with you.
Sue and Dave Timms
Alex Zbar
My deepest condolences for Pam and her family. I came to know Pam just over 18 years ago when she and her community group rented a store from me in downtown Squamish and opened the Hotspot, and later expanded it with the Bookstore. Pam’s legacy and love for helping people lives on with the continued presence of both places. I wish for only happy memories of Pam for all who were fortunate to know her.
Tammy Drury
I just heard this news. My heartfelt condolences to Pam’s husband and children and grandchildren. Family was everything to Pam. I’m am deeply saddened that this lovely, caring, generous woman has left the earth too soon.