"If I had to choose between loving you and breathing, I would use my last breath to tell you I love you."
- Author unknown
Pamela Hasford Rheudasil, 76, of Plano, took her last breath Saturday, August 17, 2019.
Although she struggled to breathe in her final years, Pam spent her life using every breath she had to spread kindness and love to all those she touched. She had a purity of spirit and an unparalleled depth of generosity, always dedicated to the service of her family, friends, and loved ones. The air was lighter, and the sky was brighter with her in this world.
Pam was born June 5, 1943 in Fort Worth and adopted by Carl and Dollie Hasford a short time after. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood on a large farm in Plano, near Canyon Creek, where she fished and swam with her brother, and hosted slumber parties with her best friends.
She graduated from Plano High School in 1961 and went to college at UNT in Denton before marrying and starting a family. She and then-husband Bill moved to Paris and raised their children there. She was an active member of the First Christian Church community and made several life-long friends there. She worked for many years at Glass Motors before returning to Plano in 1990. She spent the remainder of her career working as supervisor at the Collin County Tax office, where she retired in 2012.
Pam was strong in her faith, and truly embodied selflessness. She was a loving, supportive, and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, caretaker, co-worker, animal lover, and friend. Most notably, she spent the last three decades of her life caring for her disabled brother, Judge.
She was an excellent cook and avid crafter – regularly expressing her love by feeding people delicious meals and delivering beautiful crocheted goodies at Christmastime. She also loved games, but her generosity stopped there – she was a shrewd card player and always out to win!
She was preceded in death by her parents, and twin newborn children, Timmy and Tammy. She is survived by brother Carl (Judge) Hasford; daughter Carla O’Donnell and husband John, of Lucas; son Richard Rheudasil and wife Cindy Asay McDowell, of Paris; daughter Karen Barry and husband Brian, of Austin; daughter Morgan Philpot and husband Ryan, of Wylie; grandchildren Jessica Topete, Colin O'Donnell, Ryan Rheudasil, Duncan O'Donnell, Devin O'Donnell, Ava Parker, Josslyn Philpot, Blaise Barry, Samantha Philpot; and several nieces, nephews, and a multitude of dear friends.
Beneath Pam’s lightness and grace, there was an unwavering strength that she relied on in times of challenge – raising four children, providing leadership at work, surviving heartbreak, caring for her brother, beating cancer, and fighting daily to breathe regularly for years. As we struggle to say goodbye, she would tell us all to take a deep breath, and we’ll get through it together. We are all stronger and better for having known her.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 31 at Forest Grove Christian Church in Lucas (2542 Country Club Road) with Ken Crawford officiating. The family will welcome friends and loved ones for a potluck reception at the church afterward. In honor of her love of cooking, we invite you to bring your favorite dish, or one inspired by your connection with Pam.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Pam’s name to the Gladney Center for Adoption in Fort Worth, or to an adoption charity of your choice.