Pamela Gunn

Pamela Gunn - Pam Gunn, 63, passed away on July 24, 2011 in Petaluma, California, where she lived with her husband, Mike, for the past ten years. Born Pamela Josephine Mertens on December 21, 1947 in Hollywood, California, she and her twin sister Penny were the daughters of Virginia Alice and Donald James Mertens. Pam grew up and was educated in the San Fernando Valley where she met and married her husband. In forty-four years of marriage, Pam and Mike enjoyed living in Hawaii, Kwajalein, M.I., and Chatsworth, where they raised their family and enjoyed countless good times with their large circle of family and friends. Pam enjoyed a long and distinguished career in special education. She worked as a special education teacher and Program Specialist for the Los Angeles Unified School District and as a Program Manager in special education for San Rafael City Schools. Pam also taught classes related to special education at Dominican University. In addition to her devotion to children with special needs, Pamâ??s interests included spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, playing tennis, reading and watching sports. She is survived by her husband Mike, her daughters Kelly (Joe) Baalman of Dublin, Erin Gunn (Marc Huntley) of Pasadena, and her son John Gunn of Los Angeles. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Maddie, Anna and Henry Baalman, Ryan and Kate Huntley and Lillian Gunn. Also surviving Pam are her siblings Mike (Kathie) Mertens, Penny Mertens (Ralph La Preziosa), Don (Marne) Mertens, Jr., Patricia Schulz, Robert (Sue) Mertens, Jane Mertens (Jeb Gist), her sister-in-law Debbie (Chris) Wallace and fifteen nieces and nephews. Pam was loving, generous, and had a terrific sense of humor. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.