At 82, Pam Portman reflects on decades of dedication to animals and her community, leaving behind a powerful legacy of kindness in Penticton.
A Quiet Champion With a Loud Impact
In Penticton, few people embody community spirit like Pam Portman. At 82, she still greets visitors with a warm smile, even as she faces a terminal cancer diagnosis. Sitting on her deck with her rescue cat, Biggie, she summed up her life’s philosophy in just five words: “All they need is love.”
For more than four decades, Portman has been the driving force behind countless fundraisers, projects, and initiatives—all designed to make life better for both animals and people.
From Flea Markets to Full Shelters
Portman’s journey with animal welfare began in Surrey, where she organized flea markets to support the SPCA. When she moved to Penticton, she quickly noticed the local shelter needed help. With determination, she rallied community leaders and launched a flea market right on Main Street.
What started as a small idea grew into a powerhouse fundraiser, bringing in around $2,000 every weekend—funds that went directly to the Penticton SPCA. Her efforts soon inspired other communities. Kamloops, Quesnel, and Prince George adopted her model, with Kamloops even building a brand-new shelter in just nine months thanks to the proceeds.
Recognition Without Seeking It
Though she never sought praise, Portman’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. On a recent tour of the market, Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield described her as “a true test of genuine community spirit”—a woman who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, simply to make her city better.
In fact, during that same tour, Portman and the mayor discovered a surprising connection: both were originally from Maidstone, Sussex. “The odds are one in a million,” she laughed.
Beyond the Animals
While animal welfare has always been close to her heart, Portman’s community efforts extend much further. She played roles in initiatives supporting the hearing impaired, thrift stores for women in need, and even a local pet cemetery near Twin Lakes. She also helped raise funds through her deli, once catering for Canadian icons like Andy Moog and Rick Hansen.
Her family followed in her footsteps. Her daughter, Pam Peterson, recalls volunteering alongside her mother and now sees her own children carrying on the tradition. Her son, Gord Portman, is also recognized locally for his community work.
A Legacy Built on Giving
Despite giving away more than she ever earned, Portman says she has no regrets. “I love Penticton, and I’ve loved all the people I dealt with,” she reflected.
She never even stepped foot inside the new SPCA shelter she helped make possible. “We tried to go and it was closed, and I’m okay with that,” she said with a smile. “I don’t want kudos, I’m just happy that things are running so well.”
And perhaps that’s the truest reflection of her legacy: a lifetime of quiet, relentless kindness—fueled not by recognition, but by love.
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