Rev. Pamela J. Breakey
March 26th, 1946 - October 5th, 2024
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Rev. Pamela's Obituary
Rev. Pamela Jean Breakey
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Pamela Jean Breakey, age 78, after a courageous 20 year journey of living with metastatic breast cancer, on October 5th, 2024 at home in Dowagiac, Michigan. She was born March 26, 1946, to Bethea (Johnston) Breakey and Loyd Breakey in Berkeley, California.
Pamela Breakey is survived by her loving family: husband - Michael Heidenreich, daughter - Kathy (David) Kortering, step-daughters - Carly and Addie Heidenreich, granddaughters - Rylan Miller, and Rachel Kortering, and brother - James Breakey. She was preceded in death by her mother - Bethea Breakey, father - Loyd Breakey and brother - Doug Breakey.
Growing up, Pamela enjoyed being a daddy’s girl and the oldest sibling to her two younger brothers, Jim and Doug. Some of her favorite memories included growing up on a farm in Napa, California, and camping with her family. She developed an early love for animals and had pets over her lifetime that included goats, horses, cats, dogs, fish and gerbils. She got her love of travel from her parents, including hiking and camping in State and National Parks, and traveling to other countries.
In school, she was active in 4H, theater, politics, and debate. She earned a National Merit Scholarship while at Cody High School in Wyoming, which brought her to Michigan State University, 1964-1973, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Counseling, while raising her daughter, Kathy.
During the 1970s, Pamela was involved in the East Lansing Peace Council and the Muskegon Chapter of the National Organization for Women, including being a board member. There she met like-minded women and men striving for equality for all people. Many of the friendships developed there continued until her passing. She also participated in peaceful demonstrations to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and to impeach Nixon.
Upon earning her Master’s degree, the family moved to Muskegon where she was a counselor with Muskegon Community Mental Health for 20 years, before answering her calling to become an Episcopal priest. She attended Seabury Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. While there, she was a chaplain at Rush Hospital in Chicago. Her first clergy job was as an Associate Rector in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Christ Episcopal Church, North Hills, from January 1997 to March 2000. She moved to Dowagiac, Michigan in 2000 to become the Rector at St.Paul’s Episcopal Church.
In 2004, Pamela was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She lived well beyond her initial life expectancy. Pamela lived 18 years before needing any radiation and/or chemotherapy. She was an involved metastatic breast cancer patient advocate as demonstrated by her participation: in a documentary, “The Quiet War,” as an interviewee with the New York Times, on a panel at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, as an application reviewer for the Breast Cancer Research Program for the Department of Defense, and meeting with lobbyists and politicians to get equal and excellent insurance for all breast cancer patients.
At home, Pamela enjoyed family dinners and conversation, cat and dog snuggles, and playing games.
She was married to the love of her life, Michael Heidenreich, for over 22 years. They shared a love of family, animals, political debates, learning, and taking care of each other.
Even in death, Pamela was thinking of helping others as she has donated her body to the University of Michigan School of Medicine for research.
There will be two funeral services. Please join the family for either service. The first service will be held in Dowagiac, Michigan at Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center St, on Friday, October 18th with Visitation from 10 AM to 11 AM, and the Service at 11 AM. A second memorial service will be held in Muskegon, Michigan on Friday, November 22nd at St.Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 1200 Seminole Rd, with Visitation from 10 AM to 11 AM and a Church Service from 11 AM to 12:15 PM.
In lieu of flowers, it was Pamela’s request that donations be made to American Breast Cancer Foundation or Big Lake Humane Society.
The family would like to give gratitude to: Becky at Landmark Health, and CentriCare Home Health & Hospice.
Please visit Pamela’s personalized webpage to share a memory or leave condolences to her family at www.clarkch.com.
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Pamela Jean Breakey, age 78, after a courageous 20 year journey of living with metastatic breast cancer, on October 5th, 2024 at home in Dowagiac, Michigan. She was born March 26, 1946, to Bethea (Johnston) Breakey and Loyd Breakey in Berkeley, California.
Pamela Breakey is survived by her loving family: husband - Michael Heidenreich, daughter - Kathy (David) Kortering, step-daughters - Carly and Addie Heidenreich, granddaughters - Rylan Miller, and Rachel Kortering, and brother - James Breakey. She was preceded in death by her mother - Bethea Breakey, father - Loyd Breakey and brother - Doug Breakey.
Growing up, Pamela enjoyed being a daddy’s girl and the oldest sibling to her two younger brothers, Jim and Doug. Some of her favorite memories included growing up on a farm in Napa, California, and camping with her family. She developed an early love for animals and had pets over her lifetime that included goats, horses, cats, dogs, fish and gerbils. She got her love of travel from her parents, including hiking and camping in State and National Parks, and traveling to other countries.
In school, she was active in 4H, theater, politics, and debate. She earned a National Merit Scholarship while at Cody High School in Wyoming, which brought her to Michigan State University, 1964-1973, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Counseling, while raising her daughter, Kathy.
During the 1970s, Pamela was involved in the East Lansing Peace Council and the Muskegon Chapter of the National Organization for Women, including being a board member. There she met like-minded women and men striving for equality for all people. Many of the friendships developed there continued until her passing. She also participated in peaceful demonstrations to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and to impeach Nixon.
Upon earning her Master’s degree, the family moved to Muskegon where she was a counselor with Muskegon Community Mental Health for 20 years, before answering her calling to become an Episcopal priest. She attended Seabury Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. While there, she was a chaplain at Rush Hospital in Chicago. Her first clergy job was as an Associate Rector in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Christ Episcopal Church, North Hills, from January 1997 to March 2000. She moved to Dowagiac, Michigan in 2000 to become the Rector at St.Paul’s Episcopal Church.
In 2004, Pamela was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She lived well beyond her initial life expectancy. Pamela lived 18 years before needing any radiation and/or chemotherapy. She was an involved metastatic breast cancer patient advocate as demonstrated by her participation: in a documentary, “The Quiet War,” as an interviewee with the New York Times, on a panel at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, as an application reviewer for the Breast Cancer Research Program for the Department of Defense, and meeting with lobbyists and politicians to get equal and excellent insurance for all breast cancer patients.
At home, Pamela enjoyed family dinners and conversation, cat and dog snuggles, and playing games.
She was married to the love of her life, Michael Heidenreich, for over 22 years. They shared a love of family, animals, political debates, learning, and taking care of each other.
Even in death, Pamela was thinking of helping others as she has donated her body to the University of Michigan School of Medicine for research.
There will be two funeral services. Please join the family for either service. The first service will be held in Dowagiac, Michigan at Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center St, on Friday, October 18th with Visitation from 10 AM to 11 AM, and the Service at 11 AM. A second memorial service will be held in Muskegon, Michigan on Friday, November 22nd at St.Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 1200 Seminole Rd, with Visitation from 10 AM to 11 AM and a Church Service from 11 AM to 12:15 PM.
In lieu of flowers, it was Pamela’s request that donations be made to American Breast Cancer Foundation or Big Lake Humane Society.
The family would like to give gratitude to: Becky at Landmark Health, and CentriCare Home Health & Hospice.
Please visit Pamela’s personalized webpage to share a memory or leave condolences to her family at www.clarkch.com.
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