A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
We are here to celebrate the life of Pamela Palanque North who came into this world on March 9, 1951, the 3rd child of Manuel and Lilly Mae (Lovey) Palanque. Pam was very proud of her ancestry; African-American (mother’s family), Puerto Rican and Cuban (father’s family). She attended St. Pascals of Baylon in Queens, NY for all of her elementary and high school years. She graduated from Queens College where she began her leadership of groups and organizations. At Queens College, she was the president of the student union. In this role she advocated for the creation of the Law School and to increase the admission of minority students. It was at Queens College that she became connected to NTL (National Training Labs) which provided her with a strong foundation in group dynamics and interactions. She was a lifelong member of NTL.
After college, she went to work for the Training and Consultation Division (Department of Psychiatry) at Yale University where she met her lifelong friend, mentor and daughter’s godmother, Jean Griffin. Her work at Yale brought her to Boys Harbor as a staff consultant/trainer but most important this is where she met her husband, Robert North. Pam and Robert married in 1978 and their union produced two children Blaine and Maegan.
Pam held advance degrees from the New School of Social Research and a professional certificate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Yale University, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. Professionally, she taught about organizations/groups, coached organizational leaders, conducted personal development groups and led many professional and community organizations
She worked with many organizations including: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Lucent Technologies – Wireless Unit, AT&T Bell Labs, Institute of Puerto Rican Urban Studies, National Training Labs, International House, The Conference Board, National Association of Women in Ophthalmology, Manhattan Country Day School and Shared Interest.
Pam was a positive force within her community. She was a long serving member of Community Planning Board 12 and the chair for a maximum 2 year term. Pam was a member of the Board of Directors of the historic house, Morris Jumel Mansion and was its current Chairperson. She was active in Jack and Jill when her children were school age and served as President of the Metropolitan Chapter of Jack and Jill for two terms as well. After her children graduated from high school, she joined the Metro-Manhattan (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and was as always, very active, currently serving as the Vice President
Her community/professional commitments were numerous: She served on the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Board of Directors as Vice Chairperson; was a founding member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Trustee Multicultural Committee Initiative; and served as on many community advisory boards for NY Presbyterian Hospital. She also managed to servedas the Chair of the Education Commission at The Riverside Church. She had just recently joined the board of the 168th Street Armory Track Foundation.
Pam possessed a keen intellect. She was well read and could discuss any topic with you. She developed a passion for politics and human rights derived from her father’s influence, a New York City Detective. Not only was she well versed in these subjects but could easily justify her point of view. She was an excellent public speaker who spoke extemporaneously with a command of the subject matter and always added humor.
Pam was a wonderful parent and dedicated wife. Her love for her husband was so dynamic and strong, there wasn’t anything Robert and Pam couldn’t overcome together. They traveled the world, supported each other through professional achievements, welcomed children into the world, buried their parents together, and created a home full of laughs and love. Blaine and Maegan were the light of her life, cheering on her daughters during every sport season, guiding them through the competitive environment of Manhattan’s private schools, supporting them to professional leadership positions, and always making them feel loved. She championed educational achievement and molded her daughters into strong black women who emulate her love of family, good judgment, forgiveness, and finding the ability to laugh in the darkest of times.
That unending love transcended to her grandchildren, Judah age 9 and Phoenix 4 months old. There was nothing that could make her happier than time with her grandchildren. Not only did she mother her biological children, but also mothered many others. Children as well as adults gravitated to Pam. She was easy to talk to and was always the life of the party. She loved Sag Harbor, especially the daily time on the beach with the ladies.
Pam is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert North; her daughter Blaine and son-in law Atiim Turnbull; her daughter Maegan Carey North; her extraordinary grand children (her words) Judah and Phoenix; her brother Sadik Palanque and his son Naim; her sister-in-law Barbara North Lightning and brother-in-law Samuel Lightning; her sister-in-law Adrienne Davis Prothro and brother-in-law Rogers Prothro; her brother-in-law George Madison and sister-in-law Jules Madison; her nephews and nieces, Jason, Devon, Kristin, Jillian, Jocelyn.
She is further survived by her Aunt (maternal) Juanita Thompson, and cousins Alicia Butler, Debra Heatley, Shelly Lewis, Earlene Monroe, Wand Murphy, Pat Neal, Edward Nelson, Milton Washington, Gene Washington, Michael Weaver and Eugene Weaver and cousins (paternal) Lecelle Montgomery, Norma Chillberry, Lynda O’Campo, and a host of relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Lilly Mae (Lovey); her brother, Rasheed; her sister Sharon, her father-in-law, Joseph North, her mother-in-law, Emalena Davis North, and her sister-in-law Donna Madison.
