Pamela A. McClure
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Pamela Ardith McClure, born January 14, 1961, died at home July 27, 2010, after a valiant struggle with pancreatic cancer. Dr. McClure, a published author, graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with degrees in Religious Studies and Interdisciplinary Women Studies and a PhD in English. She taught at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Stephens College before accepting a position at Columbia College where she became Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities.
A poet, horsewoman, and musician, she was a master at the creative art of living. McClure paraphrased the painter Paul Klee, claiming that she wanted to “live like a child, but a wise child.” She gave readings of her poetry throughout the Midwest, published four books of poetry as well as countless poems in scholarly literary journals, and mentored hundreds of students. She had a knack for making poetry and the interpretation of literature accessible to a wide range of minds. She stated, “I had a hunger for learning and I recognized some of those same hungers in my students,” prompting her innovative approach in the classroom.
In addition to her accademic work and writing, she taught horseback riding, worked as a paramedic, accompanied herself on the guitar, amused herself with drawing and painting, and cooked with the creative flair of a chef. She once said, “I’m inspired by good ideas, smart thinkers, nature, art, and anything else that is done well.”
She was tenderhearted, fun-loving, and generous to a fault, possessed of an undying love of dogs and all living things, and had a consummate sense of humor. She leaves behind countless adoring students, a menagerie of pets, far too many unwritten poems, stories and books, and a community of grieving friends. She is survived by her partner, Tracy Toler, sister Donna McClure Begley, and five well-loved nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held in October in Columbia, Missouri. Three of Dr. McClure’s books are published by Sutton Hoo Press. The most recent, Rock Dove, is published by Red Dragonfly Press. Donations may be made in Pam’s name to Columbia Second Chance.
Visits: 14
I was so saddened to hear about Pam…Though we’d met many years ago and I had not had contact with her for about a decade, she made a lasting impression on me. In the times I was in association with her I was always impressed by how she was able to live her life exactly way she wanted to live it and didn’t let her agenda be set for her. She was a true eccentric in the most positive sense of that word.She could be at once both impish and brilliant. I recall the late 80s early 90s when she had a singing trio with Michele Kosar and Bron Nelson, and they’d play their guitars and entertain us with original songs, some silly, some extremely touching. Pam’s untimely death leaves a huge hole in our little community; you have to wonder about the logic of a universe that would take someone in the prime of her life like this.
My sincere and deepest condolences to her many loyal friends and her partner, Tracy.
Pam was my first teacher through the Evening Campus at Columbia College. She inspired me to be more involved with my College Life on all levels not just acamedic. She will be missed.
I’m so sorry to hear about Pam’s death. She has left much of herself in her work which will live on so that others can always be reminded of her creative, fun-loving nature.
Pam fought a good fight, she finished her course and she kep the faith. Her beautiful spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved her. I loved her free spirit, I valued her opinion and I respected her cause. I am so blessed to have known her!
My sincere condolences to the McClure family and Tracy Toler. She will be missed by many. Too soon, too soon.
Donna Reed
To paraphrase one of Bron’s songs so many years ago: “All the world became alive because you walked into my life, and did away with all the rain that had been falling there so long; it’s gone, bye-bye. Bye Pam. Love you so. Our music-making days were among my happiest ever.
Pam was a free spirit and loving person. I cared for her horses while she was off doing readings and signing books. Her laughter will be missed.
Pam was always so kind to me and would talk with me even though she was on her way to class and late..she laughed and cried together. I will miss her. My kind thoughts and wishes to her family and beloved partner.
Pam was always so kind to me and would talk with me even though she was on her way to class and late..she laughed and cried together. I will miss her. My kind thoughts and wishes to her family and beloved partner.
One of three people directly responsible for my having a college degree…
One of three people directly responsible for my having a college degree…
Donna,I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your sister. My thoughts are with you and your family.
So sad…such a huge loss. My thoughts go out to Tracy, Donna, Audra, Ness, Tristan and Cindy.
I was great friends with Pam while I lived in Columbia. Some of my best times were with her. We would go out and dress up in outrageous clothes, wigs and anything else we could find. I loved her and all of her creative humor and immense talent. I will surely miss Pam….I can’t believe this has happened. I know she is with God…she was too beautiful to be anywhere else.
When Connie and Pam were in their dynamic duo mode, they often came to visit and entertain my daughter Meri and me. That is the joy and laughter Meri and I talked about often back then and again yesterday and today.
I met Pam in poetry workshops at MU. She encouraged and motivated with her dancing of words on paper. She was my best and most useful critic – a teacher as well as a colleague and friend.
Pam and Tracy visited us here in Springfield two years ago when Pam was featured reader and teacher for UIS’s Verbal Arts Festival. Students raved not only about her poems, but about the value of the workshop she chaired because she had asked them to send her their work ahead of time so that she was well prepared to help them find their voices if they were newbies and fine tune them if they were more experienced. Their published writings and a Creative Thesis or two memorialize Pam.
My wife Sara and I, and our three cats loved Tracy immediately as much as we always had Pam. We joked a lot about them returning to the “OtteryCordell Bed and Breakfast.” We promised to visit them, too. Unfortunately due to my father’s and then my own health problems (mine so minor as I look at them now) it never happened.
I was shocked to tears and silence, almost paralyzed, when I came across her obituary the other day. I immediately missed her and knew that the world is suddenly less comprehensible, has a little less heart. I wish I would have found the time and energy to be a better friend.
My ancestors are PequotMohegan. My grandmother on that side has taught me to keep her, my mother, and
aunt (a Chief who lived on Witches Lake in Wisconsin) close so that we talk everyday. Pam, too, now walks with me that way and will make me more worthy to continue my present journey and then join her on the path to and in the other, better world someday.
I send my heart as it feels today to Tracy and Pam’s family, hoping that it lifts the heaviness from theirs in some small way.
So very sorry to hear of Pam’s passing. We met at Poets’ House in Ireland and corresponded and exchanged books – she was a lovely person and a very talented poet – “sonnets like spun glass”. I’ll read her poems often and remember her through the joy in them.
I am sadden to hear of Pam’s passing. What an incredible, dynamic teacher she was. I looked up to her so much when I was a student at Columbia College. She taught me an appreciation for John Ashbery that I never thought I could have and all of the Avant-Garde poets. She was a tremondous mentor to me as I completed my English degree and am now teaching in the classroom thanks to her. The halls at Columbia College are the same without her. My sincere condolences to her family.
I am sadden to hear of Pam’s passing. What an incredible, dynamic teacher she was. I looked up to her so much when I was a student at Columbia College. She taught me an appreciation for John Ashbery that I never thought I could have and all of the Avant-Garde poets. She was a tremondous mentor to me as I completed my English degree and am now teaching in the classroom thanks to her. The halls at Columbia College are the same without her. My sincere condolences to her family.