Pamela Lou Filson

Pamela Lou (Haynes) Filson October 15, 1943 - October 16, 2026

We celebrate and mourn the loss of Pam “Pammy” Filson, a spunky Colorado farm girl with a heart of gold, who eventually settled in Virginia, with many adventures in between.

The daughter of late parents Wesley and Lura Haynes, Pam is survived by her brother Wesley “Herky” Haynes (Linda Coxen), niece Kendra Haynes, goddaughter Kristen Anderson, husband Ted Filson, daughters Shelbie Filson and Dara Moore (Will), and grandchildren Skyler, Rylee, and Davis.

Born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, Pam graduated from Fort Collins High School (Go, Lambkins!) and married Ted, who she met after he asked her dad if he could shoot pigeons in her family's barn. Their marriage would span almost 65 years, and Ted never let a day go by without visiting Pam after her declining health forced her from their home.

Pam loved her family and had close ties with multiple generations growing up. After just three years of marriage, she didn't hesitate to take in her 12-year-old brother, giving him a home and family stability (though that eventually included two very annoying nieces!). And when, much later, her brother became a father, Pam couldn't have been more excited to be an aunt.

After several years of marriage, life's circumstances would lead Pam’s family of four to move across the country several times, hauling 2 kids and up to 4 dogs, a cat, and a rabbit from CO to VA, back to CO, back to VA, to AZ, and back to VA. (Obviously, she became an expert at smuggling those pets into hotel rooms.)

An animal lover, Pam grew up with a menagerie of pets and farm animals and helped nurture her daughters' and grandchildren's love and appreciation for animals. The family has never not had multiple pets, and numerous fond family memories revolve around their fur family. If one was ever injured or sick, Pam was the one who cared for them and patiently nurtured them back to health.

She also had a green thumb and loved caring for plants and flowers (a skill her daughters sadly didn't inherit). There would always be jars with plant cuttings on windowsills, and bags of potting soil around the house. Pam always had multiple craft projects in process, including knitting, crochet, and making beautiful wreaths. A night owl (to her husband's chagrin), she’d often stay up late reading or working on her projects. For the holidays, she would make delicious pepper jelly and potent amaretto cakes that people considered themselves lucky to receive as gifts.

Pam had a loving, generous heart and a smile for everyone she met, able to strike up a conversation with anyone. Her wonderful stories about family and friends growing up in Fort Collins made everyone smile, and even as dementia took its merciless hold, she maintained vivid recollections of her youth and happily recounted those memories. Pam’s special friends of note are her cousin Nancy Meltzer, who was like a sister growing up, Janet Anderson and her late husband Suds, and her longtime group of friends in Forest who would gather weekly to play poker, celebrate birthdays, and also take annual trips to Duck, North Carolina, for more poker playing and shenanigans.

Pam helped create wonderful memories for her daughters to cherish, as well: taking them sledding on frozen ponds using socks for gloves, pulled by their beloved black lab; teaching them how to rollerskate; playing her John Denver albums as she cleaned the house; sewing their Halloween costumes; cheering at their tennis, softball, and volleyball games; applauding at concerts and performances; signing them up for Glamour Shots (yup, she did that); trips to their CO cabin, place at Smith Mountain Lake, California, Florida, North Carolina,

Massachusetts, South Carolina, and New York; and making the most delicious chocolate birthday cakes any kid could ever hope for.

Like all of us, she had her mishaps that became family lore, like the TWO times she accidentally tried to burn down their house, or that afternoon she got stranded floating in a sailboat on Ivy Lake after she threw her oars at a snake trying to come aboard. (We’d best not mention her daughter's bachelorette party.)

Pepsi was her poison, but she loved an occasional amaretto sour; one might have considered her a Reuben sandwich connoisseur; and you’d better keep away from her caramel frappe if you knew what was good for you. Her tuna, pea, and macaroni salad (lovingly nicknamed “crap” by her granddaughters) was one of many items frequently requested at family gatherings.

Pam was always willing to step in and help (like the time she donned an Easter Bunny costume for the neighborhood’s egg hunt), up for a silly photo op (she really was pretending to be sick in that wine festival picture, Dad), or accept a dare (like riding the Tower of Terror at MGM Studios…twice!). A natural caregiver, she would literally rub your back for hours when you were sick, and make sure you had everything you needed to help you feel better, and if you found yourself in the hospital, she was there by your side.

Although she was an amazing mom, Pam’s truest joy was being “Granny” to Skyler, Rylee, and Davis. Nothing made her happier than spending time with them and celebrating their achievements. She was their trusted confidante, always available and ready to listen. Her love and devotion for them were truly beautiful to witness. Even near the end, her face would light up when any of them entered the room - they were her greatest blessing.

Forever grateful and blessed to have had her as her mom, Dara expressed it perfectly: "I will always treasure the memories of her kindness, her gentle guidance, and the special moments we shared as a family. I love her deeply and will miss her more than words can express. Mom, please continue to watch over us, protect us, and guide us through life. Until we meet again, you will always be our guardian angel and one of our greatest blessings."

After a long battle with dementia and Parkinson's Disease, devoted wife, loving mother, and cherished granny Pamela Lou Filson passed away on Friday, October 16, 2026, just one day after her 83rd birthday, surrounded by family who loved her dearly.

The family would like to say a special thanks to her final group of caregivers at Greenview Manor. When she could no longer be at home, their kindness, gentleness, patience, and loving care created a warm and safe atmosphere for her final months. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: https://Alzheimer's Association /cwva/support