Pamela "Pam" A. Fileccia

BRISTOL: Pamela Ann Fileccia, 75, died in her sleep on January 27, 2020, in her home. She was born on January 18, 1945 to Theodore and Ann LeBanc Rogus. She attended high school in Highland, Indiana where she met Garry Fileccia, her high school sweetheart and husband of 51 years. They had two daughters, Angela Fileccia and Allison (Fileccia) Teich, whose accomplishments and feats Pam bragged about to everyone she met. For them, she cheered in the stands of swim meets, orchestra, and graduations. 

Pam earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana State University and a master’s degree in English and Journalism from Ball State. She read avidly, finishing 3-4 novels a week for much of her life. She built a network of friends. She built a yearly flotilla for the 4th of July festivities on the St. Joe River. She took daily walks. She took care of her family. She taught high school English. She taught her students to diagram sentences. She taught her daughters to be capable, strong, empowered women.   

She gave her time volunteering on the Bristol Library Board. She gave advice about punctuation both to those who asked for it and those who didn’t. She grew and nourished a garden in the spring. She nourished her grandchildren, Luke and Hannah, whom she loved so much she sometimes wept to think of them. 

She welcomed all her children’s and grandchildren’s friends into her home, so many, too numerous to name. She kept her pantry and fridge stocked with snacks, ready always with a hug and words of encouragement, support, and kindness.

For years she wrote a column for the Elkhart Truth called “Out on the Town.” Pam went out on the town in Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Arizona, Rome, and the Caribbean Island of Anguilla, where she swam with dolphins. She went out on the town with her friends. She went out on the town with her family, every chance she had. 

She is survived by her husband, Garry; her daughters, Allison (Jason D.) Teich and Angela (Ryan M. Bachtel) Fileccia; her grandchildren, Luke and Hannah; her sister, Deborah; her niece, Lisa; and her nephew, Brian.  In addition to her parents, a brother Ted Rogus preceded her in death.

A gathering of family and friends will be from 1-5 pm Sunday, Feb. 2, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart, where services celebrating her life will begin at 1:00 pm Monday, Feb. 3 with additional visitation 1 hour prior. Rev. Matthew Coonan will officiate.

Per her wishes, cremation was chosen, her cremated remains will be scattered in the Caribbean Sea beyond the sunny beaches of Anguilla. 

The family kindly request memorial contributions to the Bristol Public Library. 505 W. Vistula St. Bristol, IN 46507

To share a memory of Pam or send a condolence to the family please visit the Billings Funeral Home Website.

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