Friends, colleagues, students pay tribute to Temecula teacher at Great Oak High School

Students displayed their work as a tribute to Mrs. Skumawitz.

It was an emotional, but uplifting scene at Sunday’s memorial for Temecula teacher Pam Skumawitz, who lost her battle with cancer on Oct. 25.

More than 1,000 friends, colleagues and former students gathered at Great Oak High School to memorialize the popular teacher with poetry, fond stories and, when possible, a little bit of humor.

Mrs. Skumawitz’s brother, Bill King, was the first to speak and offered an affectionate portrayal of some occasional sibling rivalry. His words were most heartfelt when he shared his sister’s love for her profession.

“Pam truly loved each student. She found something to love in each and every child. The fact that so many of you are here today tells me that you loved her, too,” King said.

Friend and former school parent Nancy Burgess shared the sentiment.

 ”I’m convinced she loved her students more than teaching. She embraced each student that came through the door. Every child felt that (they) were special. They were made to feel as if they were the ultimate star of the classroom,” Burgess said before the crowd.

Great Oak High School’s Performing Arts Center reflected that admiration with a glittering display of students’ work. Tables filled with poetry books and puppets-mementos from previous classroom projects-lined the walls of the auditorium. There were also tables with photos, signed cards, keepsake glitter bags and tall trees decorated with colorful stars that bore the good wishes of friends and loved ones. Stars hung from the ceiling.

Former students-some from as far back as 1995-took the stage to read personally penned poems as a tribute to Mrs. Skumawitz.

“Through cancer, we’ve seen the best of people,” said Mrs. Skumawitz’s son Adam. “I believe this is my mom’s final lesson. That we all have the capacity for good.”

Mrs. Skumawitz is survived by her husband Roland and her children, Adam and Britta. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Pam Skumawitz STAR Scholarship Foundation. For more information, visit: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/pamskumawitz.

Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at ksmabee.swrnn@gmail.com with comments or questions.

Tags: great oak high school, pam skumawitz, SWRNN, Temecula

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