Pamela Pearson Wong

Pamela Pearson Wong came to rest in Christ at her home in Frederick, MD on Good Friday, April 18th 2025. Born on March 2nd 1954 in Minneapolis, Minnesota Pamela Jean was the eldest child of John Deane Pearson and Leila Jean Pearson (née Jensen). Throughout her youth, Pam was active at the First Baptist Church and enjoyed spending time with her four sisters, brother, and close friends in her hometown of Milaca. She enjoyed swimming at Spectacle Lake in the summer, sledding and ice skating in the winters, and reading year-round. Pam also loved music, playing the piano and singing in the choir at church and school.

The daughter of a high school English teacher and a homemaker, Pamela excelled in writing, reporting for her school paper, and editing the yearbook. She was also district secretary and treasurer of “Future Homemakers of America,” which allowed her to travel to New York City. Pam spent many hours working as a telephone operator where she made intergenerational friendships. After graduating from Milaca Senior High, she studied at the University of Minnesota, graduating with distinction from UM-Morris with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and then Wheaton College, Wheaton IL, where she earned a Master’s Degree in communications and print journalism with honors. Pamela then worked as an editor for the Forest Lake Times, Forest Lake, MN and in communications for MAP International, a Christian medical and development organization. In her work with MAP, Pamela traveled as far as Ecuador and Haiti to see the projects first hand.

Pamela met Philip Wai Hung Wong through friends at Wheaton. After dating long distance between Chicago and New York City, the couple married in Milaca on August 28th 1982. They later took a second honeymoon to Hong Kong and China. In 1986, Pam and Phil moved from Wheaton to Maryland to help plant the Gaithersburg Chinese Alliance Church. Pamela continued to write and edit on various topics, including her and Phil’s experience with pregnancy loss.

The couple joyfully welcomed children: Stephen, Andrew, and Bethany, whom they raised in Germantown, MD. Pamela focused on full time parenting until all the children were school aged, volunteering in church and community roles as a deaconess and homeroom mom. Pam returned to work, writing and editing for faith-based organizations. As editor-in-chief of Family Voice magazine, Pamela mentored young writers and won accolades from the Evangelical Press Association. She later worked for the federal government, where her writing highlighted grants and programs to support survivors of crimes. She retired from the Department of Justice in 2020.

Throughout her life, Pamela loved hosting family, friends, and her church community. At Gaithersburg Church of the Nazarene, she served on the church board, led bible studies, served in the nursing home ministry, and supported mothers experiencing unplanned pregnancy. Pam also loved traveling to see family and friends scattered across the country, and sometimes even the world. She took trips to Norway, Sweden, China, Canada, and Hawaii along with many summer visits to Minnesota.

Pamela is preceded in death by her parents, son Philip, and grandson Isaac. Her memory is cherished by her dear husband of forty-two years, Philip, her children: Stephen of Washington, D.C., Andrew and wife Nicole of Pasadena, CA, and Bethany, husband Philip, and granddaughter Margot Jean of Nashville, TN. Pamela is also remembered by her siblings: Patricia (David), Tim (Susan), Terri (the late Dwight), Mary (Joseph), and Melissa (David), as well as many extended family members and friends both old and new.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 2nd 2025 at 11 am at Gaithersburg Church of the Nazarene 8921 Warfield Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20882. Visitation at 10 am, with luncheon to follow at the church.

Graveside service and interment of ashes will happen in Minnesota at a future date this summer.

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