A quiet end to a full life

Compiled lovingly by the Friend family

Pamela Meryl Friend was born in Durban in 1931 to Vaughan and Norma Milner-Smyth. Her schooling was spent at Chelsea Drive Primary School in Durban North and then St. John’s Diocesan School for Girls in Pietermaritzburg. Even then Pam had a pioneering spirit and at a very young age developed a great interest in aviation, the RAF and the SAAF. She took flying lessons a few years after WWII became an enthusiastic spectator of air displays in Durban.

Pam led a full life attending sporting events such as baseball, speedway, cricket, rugby and tennis and also made her acting debut in plays and musicals. Her career as Secretary to the Mayor of Durban also kept her very busy until she met and married the love of her life Raymond William Friend, a handsome young farmer from the Vryheid area. This city girl threw herself into the role of housewife on “Rooikoppe” farm near Kingsley learning many farming skills.

Pam and Ray had four beautiful children; Sean, Carol, Shelley and Justin all of whom Pam, a loving mother, was immensely proud and supportive. Her life was further enriched with 9 simply gorgeous grandchildren.

In her later years Pam was faced with many health challenges, but she was determined to lead a full life. This included trips overseas to see her children, grandchildren and friends and to experience new places and cultures, brushing up on her computer skills, as well as taking art classes in 2014 and becoming a dab hand with a paintbrush!

As a loving mother and grandmother and pillar of the Vryheid community, Pam will be much missed by all especially her children, grandchildren and brother. There will never be another like her. Her family would like to take this opportunity to extend their heartfelt thanks to all her wonderful friends who have been so amazingly caring and supportive.

The memorial service for Pam will take place on Saturday at 11am at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Vryheid.