"Pam" Dunn July 13 1924 – June 24 2008 RIP

Written by  //  July 2, 2008  //  Absent Friends  //  1 Comment

Montreal philanthropist Pam Dunn dies at 83
Alan Hustak, The Gazette
Published: Wednesday, June 25
MONTREAL – Pam Dunn was the dynamic grand-daughter of Sir Herbert Holt, one Montreal’s richest industrialists. Affectionately known to her family as “Panic” Dunn, she spent much of her substantial inheritance on philanthropy.
She was a longtime supporter of the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation, Bishop’s University, Sun Youth, Dans la rue, The Douglas Hospital, the Montreal Association for the Blind, the Butters Foundation and numerous other charities.
She died unexpectedly Tuesday morning in her Square Mile residence at the age of 83.
… She supported Infinitheatre, and appeared on stage in two recent fundraisers, Prescription for Murder and Montreal Idle.
“She had always wanted to be an actress,” said the company’s artistic director, Guy Sprung, who was writing a part for her in his next mystery, Murder on Dorval Island.
“She was good enough that she was invited to play Stratford early on, but instead of a life in the theatre, chose to raise her family. She was brilliant in one of our shows as Rose Belmont, the Queen of Westmount, in which she portrayed a cantankerous 90-year-old socialite who told dirty jokes and hit people over the head with her cane.”

Olsa Jane Holt “Pam” Dunn

    

OBITUARY OLSA JANE HOLT (PAM) DUNN Suddenly at home on June 24 after a brief illness. Pam is survived by her husband Timothy Hibbard Dunn, and her children and grandchildren Peter (Judi Fletcher – Adrian, Hilary), Stuart (Christa Gautier – Whitney, Brendan), Robert (Nancy Heelis – Amanda, Timothy, Matthew, Megan), Brian (Leslie Vincent – Stephanie, Gillian), Daryl (Ben Kozak – Nicholas, Trevor, Jason) and Debra (Katherine, James, Sean Michaud) and one great-grandchild Frazer Dunn. Pam will be remembered for her extraordinary contribution to her community through her many charitable interests and leadership on numerous boards. She was particularly dedicated to Bishop’s University, where she received an honourary doctorate, Pearson College, and the Bahamas National Trust, among countless others. Her fearless passion for life was an inspiration to everyone who met her. Pam was determined in her approach to any challenge and embraced every opportunity that came her way. She touched the lives of so many people with her dynamic energy and enthusiasm for sports, theatre, education and fundraising. She was a terrific role model to so many of her gender, particularly her granddaughters. Pam will be sorely missed by all those people who lives she touched, both young and old. There will be a funeral service for Pam at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2 at Christ Church Cathedral, 635 Ste. Catherine W, Montreal. At her request, her ashes will be spread at a private family service in the Bahamas. In lieu of flowers, the family would gratefully accept donations in her name to the Trans Canada Trail or a charity of your choice.
Published in the Montreal Gazette from 6/26/2008 – 6/27/2008.

From Infinitheatre
It is with great sadness we share with you that Pam Dunn died suddenly and unexpectedly at her home in Montreal on June 24th. An extraordinary philanthropist, generous patron of the arts and loyal Infinitheatre supporter…
In 2007, with her boundless energy and dauntless spirit, she starred in
Prescription for Murder as Rose Belmont, the Duchess of Westmount.
In this year’s production of Montréal Idle she hoofed it up as Ethyl, the owner of the CBBC TV station.
With her commitment to so many causes, her ebullient humour, her ceaseless concern for the well-being of everyone around her, we were all in love and awe of her. On the stages of the Great Hereafter, she will continue to tread the boards for the just causes and in her spare time, play more leading roles.
Montreal will be a smaller, sadder place without her.
Pam, bon spectacle!

One Comment on ""Pam" Dunn July 13 1924 – June 24 2008 RIP"

  1. Diana Thébaud Nicholson July 4, 2008 at 8:12 am ·

    From a Wednesday Nighter
    I want to give you and David a brief rundown of Mrs.Dunn’s funeral service on Wednesday.
    It was a very respectful, classy, and touching service. I would guess that there were 1,000 people in attendance.
    Peter Dunn gave a beautiful eulogy. Peter is a great public speaker with gravitas. It was well spoken and an
    accurate reflection on how his mother touched so many people’s lives. The affection and respect that he and his family have for Pam was quite evident.
    She was a great lady who was known as being firm but fair. Peter Dunn joked that she was affectionately known as The General. Most importantly, she gave so much back to the community and to the less fortunate.
    On a personal note, I have fond memories of Mrs. Dunn. She was always available for advice whenever I needed it. She will be missed.

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