Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended a memorial service Friday, Oct. 30, for Pamela J. Atkinson, a prominent Utah humanitarian and advocate who died Oct. 10 at age 93. The service, held at the First Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City, honored Atkinson, who was described by some as Utah's Mother Teresa for her lifelong devotion to serving the vulnerable.
A Life of Service
Atkinson's life was marked by a transition from a childhood of hardship in the greater London area to a career of international service. Born in Bromley, Kent, England, on Feb. 9, 1933, she experienced poverty, the air raids of World War II, and family instability. She eventually earned a full scholarship to nursing school at King's College in London, a step she viewed as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Global Career and Education
A professional career in nursing and hospital administration took Atkinson across the globe. Her travels included stints in Australia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, and Cyprus. She later held positions in Vancouver, Washington; San Diego, California; and Salt Lake City, Utah, where she eventually settled. In addition to her clinical and administrative roles, she served as a teacher of physiology and nursing.
Religious Leaders Pay Tribute
Religious leaders from multiple denominations joined to honor her legacy. President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, represented the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the service, accompanied by Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Kearon offered remarks on behalf of the Church during the proceedings.
Impact on the Community
Bishop Oscar A. Solis of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City expressed profound sadness at Atkinson's passing, noting her ability to work across religious, political, and social differences to pursue the common good. Solis highlighted her long-standing support of Catholic Community Services of Utah, where she served as Master of Ceremonies for the CCS Humanitarian Awards Dinner and was a frequent presence at the Bishop Weigand Resource Center.
Legacy of Compassion
Atkinson was recognized for her unique ability to connect with those in crisis. Former Presiding Bishop H. David Burton noted in a 2010 article that Atkinson possessed a sense for identifying when individuals were experiencing temporal, emotional, or psychological hurt. Her family stated in her obituary that she embodied charity and the love of Christ in her actions, spending her life supporting and uplifting others.
Family and Survivors
Atkinson is survived by her three children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
