Pamela Kathleen Coolidge, 86, of Two Harbors MN, passed away peace-fully Saturday July 13th surrounded by family. She was born on April 19, 1938, to Alberta (Gissler) Waite and Al Philips in Duluth MN. Pamela attended Duluth East High School where she was an involved honor student. Pamela met the father of her seven children (Truman Hinden) while visiting her family cabin on Burntside Lake in Ely, MN. Together they ran Ely Excavating and owned rental property. Pamela was self motivated and a hard worker. In her spare time, she was an accomplished seamstress serving contracts with JC Penny, Canadian Waters Outfitters, and countless private clients. In 1975 Pamela returned to Duluth where she met and married David Thorstad and worked as a bartender, bookkeeper, and real estate agent with Messina Zunich. Pamela was a very loving person providing critical care for her mother for many years and raising her grandchild Crystal (Elizabeth) as her own daughter. In 1988 Pamela met her husband of 34 years, David Coolidge, while country line dancing. Their blended family brought great joy to Pamela. While they enjoyed dancing, they shared a predominant entrepreneurial spirit, which kept them very busy. David having already built a successful manufacturing business (Serco Loaders Two Harbors MN) adventured forward with Pamela to open two more businesses. Together they brought Coolidges Restaurant and The Adventure Mall Antiques to Two Harbors. Their steadfast ingenuity designed, built, and renovated multiple properties and motor homes in their spare time. Pamela enjoyed “the thrill of the hunt” and found inspiration at auctions, thrift stores and rummage sales. Along with Pam’s design capabilities, she was blessed with the “Gift of Gab” and made friends wherever she went. Pamela found happiness helping others and volunteered her time at the nursing home in town. Grandma Pam welcomed everyone with open arms, her generous spirit and loving hospitality made for many treasured family times. She thought nothing of cooking and caring for crowds of family and friends. Her most beloved moments were playing cards and scrabble with children and grandchildren. Pamela’s fortitude and faith made life look easy and gave us reassurance that anything was possible.
Pamela was preceded in death by parents Al Philips and Alberta (Gissler) Waite, stepfather Ralph Waite, Aunt Angela Ahola, half brother Jim Philips, half sister Judy Eatmon, daughters Elizabeth Hinden and Tracey Hinden-Sumner, and former husband Truman Hinden.
Pamela is survived by her husband David Coolidge; brothers Michael (Maria) Philips, George (Sue) Philips, Gene Philips; children Heather (Doug) Lafave, Marshall (Jill) Hinden, Curtiss (Diana Petrich) Hinden, Weston (Lori) Hinden, Tiffany (Tony) Stensland, Crystal (Joe) Parkhurst, Sheila (Darrell) Bjerklie, Joel (Tara McConnell) Coolidge; former daughter-in-law Ramona (Curtiss) Hinden; grandchildren Brandon, Maryssa, Arielle, Aaron, Crystal, Cassandra, Tiffany, Garrett, Dana, Brent, Dakota, Hayden, Mattilyn, Joselyn, Isabelle, Lisa, Krysta, Ashley, Tyler, Kylie, Skye; great grandchildren Landon, Lincoln, Lilly, Lainey, Braxton, Haven, Devin, Mathew, Alexus, Emma, Joshua, Casper, Tracey, Lilly Grace, Charlotte, Savanah, Evan, Jack, Eli, Max, Cian, Kieva, Lylah, Mylee, Ivy, Daniel; and great great grandchildren, Aria, Xzavier, Ezra, Aziai.
A Celebration of life will be held in Pamela’s honor on September 21st at Judy’s Cafe – 623 7th Avenue, Two Harbors, MN, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. To share a memory or leave an online condolence visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.
