Pamela Faye Farrington
August 5, 1956 - August 15, 2015
Pamela Faye Farrington, 59, died Saturday morning, August 15th, ending an eight month-long struggle against lymphoma.
Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Pam enjoyed boating on the ocean, snorkeling the coral reefs, and exploring the Everglades. She earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Following medical school, Pam completed residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at George Washington University in Washington DC. She and her husband, Kenneth Ward, MD moved west to Salt Lake City in 1987 and together they joined the OB/GYN Faculty at the University of Utah. Pam considered her faculty position to be a “dream job”. She enjoyed the women she cared for, the students she taught, and the wonderful people she worked beside. “Doctor Pam” was a talented surgeon and beloved physician who aided the births of thousands of babies. For many years, she worked as the primary obstetrician in the University’s multidisciplinary Teen Mother and Child Program. Pam also served on important medical school committees and in a leadership role as the General Obstetrics and Gynecology Division Chief.
In 2003, Pam and her family had the good fortune to move to Hawaii for four years when Ken accepted a position at another medical school. Pam cherished this time living in a tropical paradise once again, though she and her family returned frequently to enjoy the natural wonders in and around Utah. In 2007, the family moved back to Salt Lake City in pursuit of new career opportunities. With this move, Pam’s professional focus became human genetic research. Until the time of her passing, Pam worked as part of the team at Juneau Biosciences discovering genetic causes of endometriosis and other serious diseases affecting millions of women and their families.
Away from work, Pam was also very active. She loved riding and training horses with her daughters, playing tennis with her “tennis buddies”, and participating in spinning, Pilates, and weightlifting sessions at the gym. Pam found great joy house-boating on Lake Powell with family and friends and sharing many happy times in Bridger Valley, WY where she actively worked on the conservation of riparian land along the Black’s Fork River.
Pam loved and was extremely close to her four siblings Kathy, Allen, Jo Ann and Linda who survive her. She greatly valued the many happy times with her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Week-long holiday gatherings with the entire extended family became an important family tradition. Pam was an accomplished gourmet cook and baker, frequently incorporating fresh ingredients grown in her garden; she was always in her element while entertaining guests and sharing a special home-cooked meal.
Pam’s life was enriched by her husband of twenty-nine years, Ken, and by their three amazing children: Katie, Allen, and Emily. Pam was so proud of their many and varied accomplishments. She enjoyed traveling, exploring, going to shows, visiting friends and relatives, attending sporting events, and especially playing board games as a family. Pam will always live on in her family’s memories, in the lessons she taught her children, and in their good deeds and their capacity to love.
A gathering to celebrate Pam’s life will be held on August 25th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. Complimentary valet parking will be provided on the north side of the building.
In lieu of sending flowers, Pam asked that folks consider making a donation to the Utah Shakespeare Festival (or your favorite charity) in her memory. Pam encourages all of her colleagues and friends to attend a performance at the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City, UT. She knows the Festival would enchant and amaze all as it has her family over twenty-eight consecutive seasons. Finally, without the generosity of anonymous blood donors, Pam’s family wouldn’t have been blessed with the additional months that they enjoyed with her. If your own health allows, please consider making a blood donation.
In Loving Memory
Ken, Kristi and I were so saddened to read of Pam's untimely death. We wish you and your children all the best during this unimaginable time of grief and loss. Jeff Oritt
Jeff Oritt
Salt Lake City, Ut
Dear Ken, Katie, Allen, and Emily -- I am so sorry. Pam was an amazing woman with a big, big heart. I hope that you are taking care of yourselves and each other. My heart is heavy knowing of your loss. Kody Partridge
Kody Partridge
Salt Lake Cit, Ut
Dear Ken and family: I am deeply saddened by Pam's death. She was a wonderful person, physician , colleague, and friend. What a superb role model. She will be solely missed. Throughout her too short life she had a positive impact on many, including me. I am sorry to miss the celebration of her life but it is my week at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. I suspect Pam would approve. I know your pain and my thoughts are with you. Neil Kochenour
Neil Kochenour
Tucson, AZ
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Pam was an extremely valued member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center. We continue to have many patients who comment on the great care they received from Dr. Farrington. She is remembered by all who had the opportunity to work with her as a compassionate, thoughtful and thorough caregiver. We will all miss her but her legacy and influence will live on in those who have tried to model some of the attributes and talents she exemplified.
Matt and Pauline Peterson
Salt Lake City, Ut
Dear Ken and Family, We feel so fortunate to have had Pam and all of you in our lives over these past years. Pam's dignified strength and calming grace were an inspiration to our family and all of her "barn family" in Midway. We will carry her memory with us forever, and will always be here for you. Our love and prayers, The Culleys
Larry, Margaret, Jack, and Matthew Culley
Midway, UT
Thank you for sharing the celebration of Pam's life with us. The chance to be surrounded by so many who loved her, too, and to view the amazing pictures from her whole time on this Earth connected us to her again and more deeply. What a wonderful imprint she made everywhere she went. To leave everyone, every place better off than when you found them, and to bring so much positive energy to those closest to you, is a rarity. In Pam's case, these aren't just nice words, this was truly her life. We will miss her greatly. Wishing you a touch of her strength while the pain fades and the lovely remembrances grow.
Karen Miller and John Ballard
Salt Lake City, Ut
Ken and family, We were very saddened to hear about Pam. She was a lively, generous person and very understanding OB. She delivered two wonderful, healthy boys to us and parents can never be too thankful for such gifts. All of you are in our thoughts. Becca and John
Becca Day and John Bohnsack
Salt Lake City, Ut
Dear Ken, Katie, Allen, and Emily, We were devastated to learn of Pam's passing at so young an age. She was our Ob/Gyn for the birth of both of our children. She was always upbeat and encouraging, even though I had suffered several miscarriages before their births. Her manner was always calm and loving. Our children are now both successful college graduates....I wish I could thank her again in person. Thank you for sharing her life with us in music and photographs.. She accomplished much in her life, and we were so blessed to know her.
Kathryn Young
Highland, Ut
I was so saddened to read of Pam's passing. She was my Ob/Gyn and delivered both my daughters in the 1990s. She was a very calming presence for me and I will never forget her gentle and kind bedside manner. I'm so sorry for your loss. I was lucky to have known her for those few years. Warm Regards, Pam
Pam Stein
Salt Lake City, UT
Dear Ken - Am so overcome with the loss of Pam from this world . Her compassion and kindness and soft sweet spirit was a warm safe presence for so many. Please send me your address . Was just thinking of you two when I drove through Mayo Florida last weekend . Sending a huge wireless hug - love, Mary
Mary Gearhard
Powder Springs, GA
As a classmate of Pam in medical school, my days were always brightened by her never ending , beautiful smile. While I watched the slide show of her life, I see that smile never ceased to enrich others. Yes, it was a life cut short, but what a wonderful, fulfilled life it was! All who knew Pam will miss her.
Lance Trigg
Ocala, Fl
Ken: If ever someone was meant to be a doctor, it was Pam. Her skills and smarts aside, she made people better by just walking into the room and gracing them with that serene smile. We were saddened beyond words to receive the news of Pam's passing. From across the miles and years, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful family. Peace be with you.
Marilyn and John McAuliffe
Miami, Fl
Dear Ken, We are grief stricken and so saddened by your family's loss. Pam was the epitome of life and love and she touched everyone she met. We'll remember her as a kind and gentle person who loved life, loved you, and loved her family. God blessed us all with her presence, and the video captures all of her best. We'll miss her forever. Love and sympathy to your family, Mike and Georgia
Drs. Mike and Georgia Olympio
Winston-Salem, NC
Dear Ken and family, So very sad to hear of Pam's passing. Her countenance, like her life, was emblematic of a joyful, compassionate, committed and true soul. Deepest sympathies to you and the rest of the family.
Grady Hartzog
Seattle, WA
Ken and family, I was very saddened to hear about Pam's passing. I, too, remember her kind spirit and radiant smile during the four years we shared in medical school. I am so sorry for your loss. Jane
Jane Howard
Nashville, tN
Dear Ken: I know we have not stayed in touch, but I will always remember you and Pam and times shared in med school. Pam was truly an exceptional human being and touched so many lives through the course of her own, ended so prematurely in my view, but only God knows to what purpose. I did not know of your years in Hawaii. I have just returned to the Big Island after 20 yrs on the mainland raising my 2 boys. Please feel free to contact me if you ever have need or desire. 850-463-7544 (cell), Urgent Care of Kona, 77-311 Sunset Drive, Kailua-Kona, 96740.
Delana Phillips (formerly Whited)
Naalehu, HI