Newark's inspirational brain cancer research fundraiser Pam White dies

The mother of Newark teenager Sam White, who died in 2013 from a brain tumour, has herself died of cancer.

Pam White, of Milner Street, has been described by her husband Mike as an inspirational woman, loving wife and lovely mother.

Pam died peacefully at her home. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer in March and, although treatment initially worked, by August it had spread to her brain.

Pam and Mike had been married for 24 years. Their only son, Sam, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour when he was 12.

Determined to live as full a life as possible, Sam worked to raise awareness of brain tumours in young people. A keen sportsman, he was chosen to carry the London 2012 Olympic torch when it came into Newark Market Place.

After his death, aged 16 in 2013, his parents founded the Sam White Legacy to continue his work.

The charity has raised well over £100,000 to pay for equipment, research, and respite holidays to help other young cancer sufferers and their families.

Mike said he and Pam had gained strength from each other after Sam’s death, and had recently started to make plans for their future together.

“I have no regrets about our life. My only regret is that she has gone too early, when we had so much more life to live,” he said. “She had a lot to give, and she gave a lot.”

Mike said Pam was a people person, which had been reflected throughout her life. She spent many years working with her parents in the licensed trade, ran a boutique with her mother, and had also been a personal assistant.

She was also very community-minded, Mike said. She was a magistrate at Newark for 22 years, and fought hard to keep the town’s court open. She had also been a school governor, governors’ clerk, and polling station official.

After Sam’s diagnosis, she and Mike worked tirelessly to support research into brain cancers in young people, travelling throughout the UK and overseas to events and conferences.

Pam co-published an academic paper about children returning to secondary education post-brain injury, drawing on Sam’s experience.

Pam and Mike run an annual Sam White Legacy dinner every year. When this year’s event took place, in February, Pam was already feeling unwell.

“But she just breezed through the night. You wouldn’t have known she was ill,” Mike said.

Mike said that, although Pam was kept busy with her charity and community work, she was also very happy at home, enjoying cooking and baking, and loving to entertain family and friends.

“She was very good at making people feel comfortable and welcome,” he said. “She was as happy at home as she was out and about socialising.”

Pam was also a talented needlewoman, making many of her own clothes – including fancy dress costumes.

“There was nothing much that she couldn’t turn her hand to. She was a great home-maker,” Mike said.

“She was devastated, like I was, when we received the news in March. It was tough on her, being the dignified and independent lady, she was, but when she was ill she asked if I would carry on with Sam’s legacy and I said of course.”

A memorial service for Pam takes place at Newark Parish Church at noon a week tomorrow, Friday November 9. There will be family flowers only, with donations welcome in memory of Pam for The Sam White Legacy.