Tribute to Pam Deeker

At the beginning of 2022 Pam Deeker joined the team of Tutor Learning Initiative (TLI) tutors at Wangaratta High School. A retired math teacher, (supposedly!), she had been approached about becoming a tutor due to a reputation of providing fantastic support in local schools in maths learning. She quickly became a valued member of the LIT team, providing encouraging, consistent and persistent support to Year 7 and 8 students. Sadly, as the year progressed it became obvious that she was suffering from an unexplained, but serious illness, and not long after it was finally diagnosed, she passed away from cancer on January the 3rd this year.

One of the reasons she moved into Wangaratta from Whitfield was to make it easier for her to go to work, (after doing some calculations on petrol costs!), and become more involved in the WHS community. As we learnt at the celebration of her life on the 21st January, getting involved was something that she loved to do throughout her rich life, whether it was teaching, gardening supporting her children and grandchildrens’ interests, and her husband’s music, and more recently the Whitfield community where she was treasurer and, it seemed, chief fundraiser of the King Valley United Football Club, and Treasurer of the Whitfield Recreation Reserve. For those who knew her well I’m sure there were many more aspects of her life, always lived to the full.

Her loss will be felt by family, friends, colleagues and students who experienced, and were impacted by her passionate enthusiasm for everything that she tackled. She was also the kind of person who accepted everyone just the way they are, and with whom you felt you could entirely relax and be yourself. Pam was a truly genuine heart-warming soul who's small, but strong presence, will be missed in the corridors and classrooms of Wangaratta High School.