Former B.C. premier Christy Clark is remembering long-time Burnaby volunteer Pamela Gardner, who she said died Wednesday after a battle with cancer at the age of 54.
“Today we lost one of Burnaby's most passionate citizens … Pam was unstoppable,” Clark wrote in an emotional Facebook post. “For all of us who knew her and her indomitable optimism, it is hard to grasp the reality that cancer finally found way to slow her down. She didn't get to do all the things she wanted to do, but, in her 54 years, she accomplished more, adventured more, than most of us ever will. Rest in peace my old friend.”
Gardner was born in Burnaby and went to Burnaby South Secondary before receiving a degree from SFU and founding Burnaby Orthopaedic Source and treating patients at Burnaby Orthopaedic and Mastectomy. Her work included seeing clients for spinal braces, breast prosthetics and lymphoma sleeves.
Gardner was also a dedicated volunteer, Clark said, serving at various points as treasurer of the St. Michael’s Complex Care Centre, president of the Rotary Club of Burnaby, and chair of the Burnaby Hospital Community Consultation Committee. She was on the board of KidSport Burnaby, the Life Saving Society of BC, and the College of Denturists of BC.
Gardner was also heavily involved in politics with Clark.
“Pam and I worked on municipal campaigns together, fighting to elect people who wanted to build a better city,” Clark wrote. “Never shy, she loved nothing more than to knock on a stranger’s door and ask them for their vote.”
The Burnaby Board of Trade said it was also mourning the death of Gardner.
“Pamela was a passionate advocate for business and Burnaby,” says a tweet by the Burnaby Board of Trade.
