Pamela Ann VanGossen

Pamela Ann Dunivan VanGossen was born on February 15, 1953 to Lois and Richard Dunivan, the eldest of 5 siblings, all of whom were raised in Peoria, Illinois.

She hitched a ride with the wind to live near the mountains in Colorado, then the fast-paced life of Houston, Texas. After making her way to Lake Charles, Pam may have been best known as everyone's favorite bartender. From the Premises to Guys and Dolls to Petro Bowl, she knew what you drank, smoked, and when you needed an ear. She decided to put her brilliant mind and listening skills to use and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education in 1989. She began her teaching career in special education at W.W. Lewis Middle School, where she later transitioned to Guidance Counselor after earning her Master's degree (1995). She retired from the Southwest Louisiana Aids Council in 2020 as a non-medical case manager for her beloved clients. Pam's passion was being a voice for those who needed a megaphone.

She was an avid reader and book collector, a bowler, a plant whisperer with two green thumbs, an activist, an advocate, a volunteer, and a lover of music-especially the blues. She also cherished her personal titles of sister, friend, aunt, nanny, and her life's greatest achievement, mom to Shelby.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters, Sandy Marsiglia and Debbie Rohman; her best friend, Juanita Nordness; and her beloved dog, Perdie.

Her memory lives on in her daughter, Shelby Marie Hoffpauir; her niece and godchild, Samantha Marie Marsiglia Voge; nieces Angela Picardi, Amanda Coffey, Rachel Menard, Amy Marsiglia, and great niece, Allissa Picardi; brothers, Jack and Gary Dunivan; chosen daughters, Malerie Parker, Samantha Rafferty, Cadence Landry; beloved friend, Pam Cantrell; and countless friends and family.

Shelby asks that you honor Pam's legacy by being loud about what you believe in, writing a note in a book you're gifting, giving someone a cutting from your favorite plant, and, above all, never, ever stop learning.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and continue until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Pam's honor to the Second Harvest Food Bank or the National Aids Memorial.