Obituary of Pamela Cerny
Memorial Mass for Pam Cerny, age 52, of Hastings on Hudson, New York and formerly of Spirit Lake, Iowa will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Internment will follow at St. Margaret Cemetery in Spirit Lake. The Mass will be live streamed on the church Facebook page.
Pamela Sue Cerny was born on May 2nd, 1967 in Waipahu, Hawaii to Fran Cerny and Brian Cerny while her father was stationed at Pearl Harbor Naval Base during the Vietnam War. She was baptized into the Catholic Faith at Pearl Harbor Chapel in Honolulu. Pamela spent the first 2 years of her life enjoying the blue skies and sand beaches of the island of Oahu. In 1969, the family moved back to the mainland and in time moved to Spirit Lake, IA where her parents became school teachers in Dickinson County. Pamela was soon joined by her siblings Stacy, Amy, and Brian. Pamela was educated in the Spirit Lake school system graduating in 1985. She then attended and graduated from Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, IA where she took an active part in the drama department. She graduated from Briar Cliff Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Language Arts degree in English Literature.
After graduating, Pam took a trip to Alaska which fueled her life-long love of adventure. With her travels complete, Pam returned to Spirit Lake where she worked at a law office. She volunteered with the environment ministry of St. Mary’s Parish and helped in the CCD program and Parish office.
In 1991, she moved to Brooklyn, NY to join her sister Stacy and Stacy’s toddler son David. There she found employment in the insurance industry in New York City where she continued her education, advanced, and remained until her untimely death. In the course of her lengthy employment at Levitt and Furst Company as a well-respected claims manager, she made many dear and loyal friends. Pamela’s friends in New York became her second family, and she truly loved each and every one of them.
Hastings on Hudson, New York, was where Pam called home. While living in New York, she loved traveling upstate to spend time in the Catskill Mountains. She would often visit apple orchards in the fall with her nephews and search out unique local shops and historic sites to explore. She enjoyed spending time sitting by the river which ran outside her window working on needlepoint. Pam loved to bake homemade pies and cookies for holiday celebrations and family/friend get-togethers. She was famous for her baked goods, and her friends often made special requests weeks in advance. Pam had a strong presence on social media which helped her stay connected with her friends and family back in Iowa, Arizona, and Nebraska.
During Pamela’s 52 years on God’s beautiful Earth, her life was filled with love and appreciation for her brother and sisters and her nieces and nephews. Aunt Pam was the person to buy fun outfits and later send college gift packages. She cheered their accomplishments and caught a plane home to celebrate their special milestones. Always generous with her time and treasure, she was thoughtful and kind to those she loved and to total strangers. She was equally generous and helpful to her friends and coworkers in her office. She was outgoing and friendly to clients, and the voice of an angel on the phone. When friends or family visited, she enjoyed introducing them to the City of New York and its many sights and historical points of interest. She had a happy infectious laugh and a quick wit. She was supportive of social justice issues, equal treatment and pay for working women, and for protection of the environment. We, her family in the Midwest and her New York family, bless and celebrate a life well lived.
On April 5th 2020, Pamela Sue passed from this earthly life into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ. Pamela was in a New York City hospital after suffering a stroke and in a short time, succumbed to injuries sustained from this tragic medical event. Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, visitation was unavoidably restricted. This separation was especially heartbreaking for her many close friends and her family who treasured her. As a family, we were blessed and thankful to have the many heartfelt prayers of church, family, dear friends, and co-workers who supported us during this time.
Pam is survived by her mother, Fran of Spirit Lake, her sister Stacy Cerny-Rosenblum (Mark) of San Diego, CA, Amy (Curt) Meyer of Fonda, IA, Brian (Gina) Cerny of Spirit Lake, IA; Nephews: David Ohana of Brooklyn, NY, Christopher Meyer of Ames, IA, Julian Rosenblum of San Diego, CA, Chaz (Andy) Dean of Independence, MO; Nieces: Rose (Austin) Behrendsen of Rock Valley, IA, Faith Meyer of Sioux City, IA, Grace Meyer of Omaha, NE, Ciera Cerny of Lake Park, IA, Paige (Adam) Page of Davenport, IA; Aunt Rita (Bud) Hackbarth of Plymouth, NE, Aunt Madelyn (Cerny) Swendson of FL, and many cousins and extended family.
Pam was preceded in death by her father, Brian Cerny; grandparents, Frances and Martin Maslonka and Edna and Marvin Cerny.
Blessed be her memory.
