Family pays tribute to beloved Whitehaven woman Pam Dixon

Pam Dixon was known by people across Whitehaven and was heavily involved in many aspects of local life in the town for decades. 

She was born on October 29, 1946, to John and Winifred Pearson on Duke Street which is overlooked by St James' Church, a place that held a special place in her heart. 

After attending school at St James' and then Richmond she got her first job in a wallpaper shop on Roper Street. 

Pam in her younger days at the wallpaper shop (Image: Supplied)

She then began working at Sellafield in the canteens and there she met her husband, Clifford. They were married at St Nicholas' Church and had three sons Peter, Andrew, and John.

Her sons explained that she had always wished she wasn't an only child and as her family grew, so did her pride.

Pam went on to have six grandchildren and her family says she always wanted her relatives to have the best of everything.

To earn more money she began working at The Calder Club, and it was here she found her love for bar work and networking within the town.

Over the years, Pam worked at several pubs including The Shipwrights Arms, The Waverley, and The Cons Club.

She always wanted a pub of her own which her husband, Clifford, wasn't in favour of. They compromised when they started to run Lismore Guest House.

Pam Dixon (Image: Supplied)

The couple ran the guest house for 34 years before retiring at age 70. 

Due to their love of travelling Pam and Clifford went on many cruises in their later years, and whilst on holiday they made a lot of friends. 

Pam was known for her love of food and drink and amongst family and friends a 'Pam Salad' was a legendary meal consisting of ham sandwiches, cream cakes, biscuits, scotch eggs, and other treats. 

One of Pam's relatives once said: "She made me laugh as a child, then got me drunk as an adult."

She was also a devout Christian attending St Nicholas' and then St James' Church for many years. 

In August 2022, Pam sadly lost her husband Clifford after 55 years of marriage, and over the past six months, her health started to decline. 

Pam and Clifford on their Golden Wedding Anniversary Cruise to Canada in 2017 (Image: Supplied)

Her family said that she died at peace in the hospital holding a cross. They described Pam as their 'Queen' and her funeral service as their own 'Operation London Bridge'.