Pamela "Pam" Memishian, age 76, passed away peacefully in the home she loved in Waban, MA, on March 18th, 2025. She was born in Hartford, CT, daughter of the late Peter Sherlock and Marion (Raismute) Sherlock. She is survived by her sister, Claudia Orleans of Swampscott, MA, her ex-husband Jack Memishian of Weston MA, her son Peter Memishian, and daughter-in-law Xiaoxiao Kong of Los Gatos, CA.
She grew up in a strict miltary household and moved frequently during her childhood years, including formative winters in the bitter cold of Newfoundland which provided the foundation for her legendary grit. Her natural acuity combined with her unyielding work ethic earned her a full scholarship to Tufts, and then to Harvard. She first studied at mathematics before matriculating to Harvard Law, where she graduated with honors in 1978.
After a short stint at Burns & Levinson, she joined John Hancock Mutual Life in 1982, entering the cut-throat and male-dominated profession of investment law. Though accomplished and skilled deal-maker, it was her compassion, humanity, integrity, and joie de vivre that truly earned the respect of her peers. To that end, when one of her grueling bicycle tours abruptly ended with a fall that landed her in the ER, colleagues at firms around the globe called in favors to get her top-shelf accommodations and a first-class ticket back to Boston.
She was drawn to the whimiscal, fanciful, and macabre, which was reflected in her fashion sense and in the other-worldly artistic creations that gave an arrhythmic heartbeat to a house that was haunting even on the brightest of summer days. Indeed, for almost 40 years, the premier family event on her calendar was Halloween, where the house would be transformed into a sinister spectacle that attracted kids far and wide.
She also marched to her own beat, with little regard for pretense, formality, or what strangers might think. A common sight - even on the most frigid of winter days - was to see Pam cruising top-down in her stick-shift convertible, grinning ear-to-ear. Indeed, she delighted in finding the little joys in life, such as savoring a sinful chocolate dessert, feeding the pigeons on her way to work, or a crafting a wince-worthy pun.
A celebration of life is being planned for Pam in the Boston area. If you knew her and would like to participate, please contact Andrew J Magni and Son Funeral Home in Newton, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, where she often volunteered.