Well-loved nursery nurse Pam dies aged 86
Much-loved nursery nurse and former member of March Operatic and Dramatic Society (MADAOS) Pam Cliss has died at the age of 86.
Pam nurtured hundreds of children working in three of the area’s schools over the years and when she retired she swapped the blackboard for treading the boards with MADAOS.
She was born and bred in Manea, the only daughter of Sid and Daisy Young and had an older brother, the late Bernard Young. After leaving school Pam travelled to Leicester to complete her nursery nurse training, working in a number of nurseries in the city afterwards.
Pam returned to Manea and married Terry Cliss, a former Spurs footballer evacuated to the village during the war. The couple were married for nearly 60 years when Terry died in 2015.
After her marriage Pam began working at Manea School, before later moving to the former Dartford Road Infants in March, after having the couple’s two sons, Tony and Tim.
She ended her school career at Cavalry School in March and that’s when she found the time to indulge her passion for singing joining the operatic society and was a stalwart of the chorus line for many shows during the 1990s and early 2000s and even found herself in the spotlight playing Aunt Ella in the group’s version of Annie Get Your Gun.
While Pam was on stage performing Terry worked behind the scenes helping to create the scenery for the shows.
In more recent times Pam joined Wimblington Choir and continued to enjoy performing with them at various local events, including the Christmas lights switch on in the village and in March.
As well as Tony and Tim, Pam leaves daughters-in-law Sarah, Polly and Helen, grandchildren: Laura, Florence, Hetty, Katie, Alfie and Harry and great grandsons Rupert and Dylan.
Pam’s funeral will be on Wednesday, December 1, at Manea St Nicolas’ Church, followed by private family cremation at March. Flowers are welcome, but if you prefer donations can be made in Pam’s memory for the Alzheimer’s Society via Mark Turner at Turner and Sons in March.
