Funeral Services Announced For Beloved West Haven Principal

WEST HAVEN, CT — Funeral services have been announced for West Haven High School Principal Pamela B. Gardner, who passed away Thursday after a long battle with cancer. She was 49. Visiting hours will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28 at the West Haven Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Church of St. Louis on Monday morning at 10 a.m. There will be no school at West Haven High School on Monday so that staff and students can attend the services.

Read the full obituary, via West Haven Funeral Home, below:

Pamela Bellmore Gardner, 49, of West Haven, passed away on Oct. 25, 2018 at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was the loving wife of Scott Gardner. Pam was born in New Haven, adoring daughter of Harold and Patricia Scherer Bellmore of West Haven. She was the devoted mother of Mackenzie Gardner and Kevin Gardner and cherished sister of James Bellmore of FL.

Pam graduated from West Haven High School, class of 1987. She did her undergrad at UConn, class of 1991, and then her masters at Sacred Heart University, class of 1992. Pam completed her sixth year degree from Southern Connecticut State University. She started her teaching career at Fitch High School, moved on to work at Old Saybrook High School and then Guilford High School. She was awarded “Teacher of the Year” at both schools.

Later, Pam was employed at Bunnell High School before coming back to West Haven as the West Haven High School Principal. During her career, she was also awarded the nationally recognized Milken Educator Award.

While an educator, Pam was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to China. She was an active member and a past president of the UConn Alumni Association. She was a member of the West Haven Library Board Village Improvement Association and the West Haven High School Building Committee.

Pam touched many lives in her time as a teacher and as an administrator. She took great pride in her schools and loved all her students, but her most fulfilling job was as a wife and mother.

The hours for visitation will be SUNDAY from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the West Haven Funeral Home at the Green. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the Church of St. Louis on Monday to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to West Haven High School Senior Scholarship Fund, ATTN: Dana Parades 1 McDonough Plaza, West Haven, CT 06516.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit West Haven Funeral Home here.