Pamela Marie Wadman, 63, of Augusta, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, March 10 at MaineGeneral Medical Center with her family by her side. She was born and raised in Chelmsford, MA. She moved to Merrimack, NH in 2004, and then to Maine in 2011. She was working remotely for the Vermont Department of Health.

Pamela is preceded by her parents, Mary McDonald and Kenneth Wadman, and her brother Dennis Wadman.

Pamela is survived by her children, Carl and Serena, her siblings Kenny, Eddy, and Annie Wadman, her aunt Sue Juhola, her uncle Charles McDonald, her best friend Karen Hudson, her beloved cat Rousey, and her close extended family of many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pamela was a devoted student of science, earning her Master’s degree in Toxicology from Northeastern University’s School of Public Health. Her life’s mission was to make the world safer and healthier for everyone in it. For the last 20 years, she pursued that goal as a Toxicologist and Risk Assessor for New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. She loved designing protocols and following emerging science to determine safe exposure levels. She was on the cutting edge in knowledge about PFAS and PCBs. Pamela was known and loved as the ‘Fish Lady’ in the science community for her passionate work on water quality regulation, and her advice to “Eat Fish, Choose Wisely”.

When Pamela wasn’t making the world safer, she had a passion for music. She loved Gov’t Mule, the Grateful Dead, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Sonny Landreth. She attended concerts for these bands whenever she could. Most evenings she would put on live recordings of her favorite concerts; clapping and cheering along like she was back in the crowd. She participated in fan communities for these bands and made many friends through them.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ACLU or the Nature Conservancy. She would also encourage everyone to listen to the song “Soulshine” and eat some fish in remembrance. Pamela’s Celebration of Life will be held on June 13 from 11am-2:30pm at the Knights & Ladies of Kaleva Lodge in Littleton, MA. Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 1 Church Street, Augusta, ME.