Pamela Engel
December 6, 1949 - January 27, 2023
Pamela Jean Engel died of cancer on January 27, 2023, in Napa, California. Her husband, Greg, was at her side.
A native Californian, Pamela (Pam) was born in El Centro and raised in Alameda. In the early 1970s, she moved to San Francisco, where she eventually met and married her first husband, Ron Unkefer. They had two beautiful children, Amy (Levi) and Dashiell.
During her thirty years in San Francisco, Pam sat on the boards of numerous nonprofits, including the Board of Trustees of the Schools of the Sacred Heart, where Levi and Dash went to school. She served on that Board for nine years, including a term as Chair.
Over their thirty-five years together, Pam and Greg traveled the world. Pam’s favorite venue was closer to home on the Big Island of Hawaii; they would sometimes spend weeks at a time there. When not traveling, one of Pam’s most enjoyable pastimes was attending Niners, Giants, and Warriors games. And oh, how she celebrated every single one of their championships!
Along the way, Pam and Greg developed a strong affinity for the Napa Valley.
They eventually lived there for what would be the last twenty-five years of Pam’s life. Her long list of activities in Napa included service on the local Boys and Girls Club board, participation in many bridge groups and book clubs, and countless outings with Greg and friends to enjoy the bountiful offerings of the region.
Wherever she lived, holidays were always a focal point for Pam. She had unique ideas and executed them well. For example, Pam invited her family and a few friends to bring their leftovers to the Engel home one day after Thanksgiving in Napa. Over the years, the invitation list expanded, and the event became a neighborhood holiday of sorts. Pam officially dubbed it “Leftover Friday.”
Pam’s sense of style was apparent to everyone. Whether attending a fancy event or entertaining casually at home, she always looked like a Hollywood star. But her fashion sense was really only an accessory to her best qualities—a soft smile, welcoming eyes, a kind wit, and the ability to get along with just about anyone.
One of Pam’s nieces, Lisa Engel Caforio, recently reflected: “I was lucky enough to spend considerable time with Aunt Pam as a child, a teenager, and as an adult. She was beautiful and fun to be around. But more than that, she was my friend, confidant, and mentor—she was a magnificent human being. As a new mom, I am sad that my kids won’t get to know her like I did. But they will still know her through me. It is impossible to measure our loss. She was so loved and will be so, so missed.”
Lastly, during her life, Pam experienced far too many health challenges and personal tragedies. All who knew her marveled that, despite it all, she forged ahead with extraordinary courage and grace—until, ultimately, she was just not physically able to move forward any longer.
Dying before Pam were son Dashiell and brothers Steve Price and David Price. Surviving are husband Greg; daughter Levi; sister Paula Price; brothers PD Price and Michael Price and their wives (and sisters-inlaw) Sandi Price and Cathy Stauffer; brother-in-law Geoff Engel and his wife (and sister-in-law) Barb Engel; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and, last but certainly not least, family dog Max.
A Remembrance of Pam’s inspirational life was held on March 12, 2023, at the Silverado Resort in Napa.
Donations in Pam’s name may be made to the Dashiell Unkefer Memorial Mathematics Award; Schools of the Sacred Heart; Stuart Hall for Boys, 2222 Broadway, San Francisco, California.