Many people in Manitou Springs and beyond are mourning the loss of Pam LeGrande. Her passing on Oct. 16 has left a huge void in our hearts and community.
The Bulletin asked people to send in their favorite memories about this remarkable woman and photos that capture her indomitable spirit.
An excerpt from my goodbye that I am so grateful I was able to read to her:
“For every time I stopped in on a whim to visit you, hug you … thank you.
“For every costume you so generously loaned, thank you.
“For every piece of advice you’ve given me, thank you.
“For all of the laughing, the crying, the supporting and the loving — thank you.
“For being the most inspiring woman in this community and never missing a parade — thank you.”
Forever more, Carnivale will award the “LeGrande Krewe Award” in your honor. Never should there be a parade in Manitou without honoring the legacy you have created. I wish for you, dear Pam, a swift and painless journey back into the arms of your son. You will forever be in my heart, tied to my soul and an inspiration to all whose lives you’ve touched.
Jenna Gallas
Pam was incredibly generous — with her gifts, with her time and with her love. She always took care of those she loved. Her legacy will be that love that she shared. She will be missed tremendously.
Leslie Lewis
What. A. Woman! A true trailblazer, determined and tough, flying planes and embracing (at that time) nontraditional roles for women; a Manitou fashion icon and arbiter of the fun, funky and oh so frilly; a ferociously enthusiastic supporter and participant of the Coffin Races and Carnivale, setting the tone and bringing the winning entourage/krewe many, many times; a sweet, nurturing, funny, always there for you friend; a businesswoman who understood that community, creativity and collaboration create an environment that truly does benefit all: a leader; a mentor to many young women.
I could go on all day about this wonderful woman. We have known each other since Manitou Magazine days, when we used the magazine’s “spacious” offices to learn the art of American Tribal Belly Dance from Cathy Spalding. That was hilarious fun, and the beginning of a friendship I will always hold dear to my heart.
I am so grateful that her struggle is over. That she is no longer in pain. I hope her spirit is out there now, a part of the vast mystery. I also hope her spirit visits her lovely mountain garden now and then. Selfishly, I wish she was still here.
You will be so very missed, Pam LeGrande. So much love.
Laura Ettinger-Harwell
Rhonda Van Pelt at Lulu’s Downstairs on New Year’s Eve 2022.
Pam loved to be with people and dress up! She also loved good music, especially if it was live, and we shared a lot of great times dressing up, listening to good music and being together. I will miss her sparkling smile and her infectious joy.
Rachel Buller
Pam was a strong woman we all looked up to (a proud member of the tall club). I enjoyed every story she told me about when she got her wings, which she did so many times. Always the best dressed, she contained the true essence and spirit of Manitou and sprinkled it like fairy dust on so many.
She knew that the answer to this life was community and love and so she grew this happiness in her garden, which we were all lucky to be a part of.
Pam was a chosen mom to many. She was an amazing caregiver and a heart so big it could fill the mountain range. She was always an artist and I loved collaborating with her. She was a savvy partner in art, fashion, business and friendship. She has left a hole we all now must go fill with her loving magic of community collaboration.
K8e Orr
Ohhh, Pam. Dear friend. She was talented, smart and sweet. She was an amazing businesswoman and had a laugh that sounded like tinkling bells. That same twinkle transferred to her eyes when she spoke of people and things she loved. I have long admired her creativity and stories about her incredible life. Her charm and love of fun will be missed. It was an honor to call her “friend.” I will really miss her.
Jannine Scott
I’ll always remember the first time I saw Pam. I had a table at a Manitou Springs Heritage Center craft fair maybe seven years ago, and this tall woman with fantastic clothes and a big smile bought practically everything I was offering. And just like that, I joined her large circle of friends.
Keep shopping at LeGrande Accents Boutique, 743 Manitou Ave., to support its new owner, longtime manager Emily Linder. Raise a glass in Pam’s honor at Manitou Brewing Co., 725 Manitou Ave.
Dress up in goofy costumes (remember Pam’s “Gone with the Wind”/Carol Burnett parody costume with the curtain rod?) with your friends and strut your stuff along Manitou Avenue. Welcome your friends and acquaintances — who will become your friends — to your home and your heart.
And always, always, tell your friends that you love them.
Rhonda Van Pelt
Just love you so much my friend! I’ll miss the hell out of you. Thanks for all the fun, laughs and for sharing the most difficult parts of your life with me and allowing me to share my broken heart with you. Your friendship was and is truly a gift. Thank you, Jenna Gallas, for bringing us and this beautiful community together.
Soar high, my beautiful golden goddess. Your incredible light and legacy will live on through all of us!
Gabrielle Waters
When I joined the Women’s Club, Pam greeted me with open arms and made me feel welcome. She always made sure she said “hi” to everyone and that they were included in conversations and made to feel part of the team.
Her positive/can-do attitude was contagious and made us believe we could accomplish anything. She was inclusive, caring and focused. She cared about this community and was always looking for solutions instead of problems. She will be missed!
Denise Howell
When Pam accepted the 2020 Manni Award for business and economic vitality on behalf of her Manitou Brewing Co. partners, Dominic Koh and Tish Dusich,
she said: “My one dream was to have a place where the community can gather and solve the problems of the world — and Manitou — and have a good beer.”
The reflection of Pam that calls to me was a beautiful spring day at White Yarrow. While I was working (actually playing) in the flowerbeds, Pam walked up and told me about the blessed earth I was sinking my hands in. The gardens represent Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.
Pam said the Spirit Garden was also known as the Fairy Garden. Another peaceful vortex in our town. Where time does not exist.
Pam was so thrilled to see the magic in manifestation. Flowers everywhere.
Later that day while working the soil, I came upon a little statuette of a beautiful fairy riding a dragonfly. This was a soul-tapping moment I will never forget.
Fly high, Pam, I know you’re always with us.
Dale Childre
It’s hard to find words in these times. How do you sum up a person as wonderful and iconic as Pam LeGrande in just a paragraph? Instead, I will say how grateful I am that she took me under her wing, as she did so many.
Getting to know her was truly an honor. Her stories of her time as an airplane pilot, a limo driver, her modeling days are nothing short of novel material, and her business savvy will continue to inspire me. She loved bringing people together to celebrate life and I know we will continue that tradition.
Thank you, Pam LeGrande, for all that you are and all that you did for our community.
Marisa Madge
My family is next-door neighbors with Pam. I asked my children about their favorite memories of her, and these were some of their replies: My favorite memory of Miss Pam is when she threw the big parties with the fire dancer. Macrina, age 9
My favorite memory of Miss Pam is when she untangled my unicorn necklace for me. Cassiana, age 7
Margaret Combs
