Obituaries

We are saddened to announce the sudden and unexpected death of Pamela Beatrice Margaret Fish (Churcher) on Jan 24, 2024 at age 98. She left this world exactly as she wanted – living independently at her home in downtown Halifax where as she loved to say, she was close to her bank, Pete’s, her hairdresser and most of all the liquor store! She often quipped that the secret to her long and healthy life was a glass of scotch a day!

Pam was born in Dalhousie, India to Colonel W. D. and E. Marjorie Churcher (Ball). She and her four siblings enjoyed a happy childhood in various locations in India, moving to England when she was 13. When WWII broke out, she joined the WRENS as a radio technician. Despite “no fraternizing” rules, she met and fell in love with a handsome young Canadian Navy lieutenant commander, John Fish, while posted in Plymouth. They married on Nov 12, 1945. From there she came to Canada as a war bride, landing at Pier 21, before boarding a train for the long trek to her new husband’s home in Vancouver – a story she loved to recount! The two attended UBC, where she majored in Physics (she unfortunately did not pass that math/science gene onto her daughter or grandchildren!) and played on the varsity field hockey team. After a year, she left to give birth to her son Robin John and upon husband John’s graduation as an economist, the family moved back to the U.K where daughter Fiona Margaret was born. They remained for 7 years before making a permanent home in Ottawa where she would live for 48 years.

Pam lived a comfortable and contented life there until tragedy struck – first her husband John suffered a fatal heart attack at age 42 and 3 years later, son Robin died in a car accident. With true British grit, she moved on with her life, having a successful career at CRA and keeping busy as volunteering at Ottawa Little Theatre, following her passion for bridge, gardening, and competitive tennis and badminton. She was an avid reader. At age 68 she retired and 11 years later sold her house and most of her belongings to move to Halifax to be with her daughter and grandchildren – who all wondered what took her so long. These last 2 decades were some of the happiest of her life. She made many new friends, bridge buddies, book club pals, and enjoyed a loving relationship with her son-in-law and the whole Diamond extended family. She loved her cottage in Chester, her visits to Bay Du Vin, her weekly hair appointments at Milos, her many family dinners at Da Maurizio and her famous Christmas Eve lobster parties.

Pam was pre-deceased by her parents, four siblings, Tony, John, Ann and Phillipa, husband John and son Robin. She is survived by her daughter Fiona (Brookes Diamond) and grandchildren William (Jenny) Halifax; Olivia, Halifax: Victoria, Montreal; and Harrison (Hillary) Halifax; nephews Michael O’Bree (Mireille); Brian O’Bree (Ciska); Jonathan Clark (Elizabeth) niece, Jane Clark and many great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Ashburn Golf Club on Sat Feb 24 at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Canada.