Pamela Colleen (McCabe) Craighead

Pamela “Pam” Colleen Craighead, age 77, of Belfair, WA, passed away on February 23, 2026. Born in Seattle, Washington, Pam’s life was shaped by a deep love for her family. She lived in West Seattle for 55 years before retiring to Belfair, Washington in 2003.

As a young girl, Pam spent countless hours playing with her older sister, Sylvia, and younger brother, Dan. She enjoyed sewing, singing and going to church. She grew up across the street from the Wallace family and until her passing remained best friends with Linda Wallace.

In 1967, Pam graduated from West Seattle High School marrying Don Anderson, shortly after. Don and Pam brought two children into the world, welcoming Lisa Marie in March of 1968 and Tracy Louise in January of 1970. Pam and Don created many fond memories for their girls but eventually separated in May of 1980. After a three-year battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, their daughter, Lisa, passed away on February 11,1985.

At her 20-year high school reunion Pam became reacquainted with another 1967 graduate, Terry Bruce Craighead. They married June 29th , 1991, and blended their families while living in West Seattle. Pam and Terry remained married until her passing.

Pam worked on Pier 91 for Distribution Auto Services for many years and was a proud Teamster. Her job at DAS required manual labor in every weather condition imaginable. She would come home tired but wouldn’t complain. Her DAS co-workers were her second family. She remained at the company until her early retirement in 2002.

Pam loved being a mother and grandma more than any other role. Becoming a first-time mother at just 19 years old did not stop her from being patient, kind, and supportive. She was sweet with a side of stubborn. When her stepson, Brian came into her life she treated him no differently, with patience, love, and gentle guidance. She was creative and funny. In her younger years Pam made clothes for her girls, baked amazing homemade birthday cakes, and painted almost every piece of wood furniture in the house. She macraméd plant holders and wall art, tie-dyed clothing, and batik dyed aprons, shirts, and whatever else she could think of. She was the epitome of a hippy girl. In her older years she transitioned to coloring and making cards with stamps.

Pam’s grandkids knew her as “Nana.” As Nana, she was sweet, thoughtful, compassionate, loving, and funny. She would go the extra mile to put a smile on her grandkid’s face. Whether that was taking them for ice cream, planting fairies in the fairy garden, buying a special toy or game, or simply being present for a good Disney movie. She introduced them to excellent music and shared family stories like she was reliving every detail. Pam never passed on an opportunity to be with her grandkids, whether it was for a few hours or a week in the summer. You didn’t have to ask her to take the kids; she begged to take the kids.

Pam maintained many friendships that lasted her entire adult life. Her friends regarded her as supportive, kind, and funny. People were important to her and many of them have reached out since her passing to share stories and reminisce about their good times together.

Pam is survived by an extended family who will carry forward her love: Husband, Terry Craighead; Daughter, Tracy Anderson; Stepson, Brian Craighead; Grandson, Colin Patzer engaged to Elianna Spitzer; Granddaughter, Keely Colleen Shehan; sister-in-law, Shirley Mihelich; Nephews, Patrick Wallace and his partner Alyx, David Warnock and his partner Gabriella, Ryan McCabe, Christopher McCabe and his wife Christina McCabe, Michael Mihelich and his partner Carrie, Aaron Mihelich and his wife Shelley Mihelich; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Pam was preceded in death by her daughter, Lisa Marie Anderson; her parents, Wayne Everett McCabe and Dorothy Barbara McCabe; Sister, Sylvia Thompson, Brother, Dan McCabe, sister-in-law Betty, and several other special relatives and friends.

In celebration of her life, let us join together on her birthday, March 29th, 2026, from 2:00pm–5:00 p.m. Rill’s Life Tribute Center 1151 Mitchell Avenue Port Orchard, WA 98366.