Hundreds bid farewell to Pamela Atkinson, who spent decades serving Utah's most vulnerable

Pamela Atkinson died on Oct. 10 at the age of 93, leaving behind a network of clinics, funds, and shelters that continue to operate in Salt Lake City. Her funeral service on Oct. 30 brought hundreds of people together at First Presbyterian Church, including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and senior leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The gathering was marked by a focus on service rather than status, as Atkinson reportedly did not care about titles but was widely known as 'Utah's Mother Teresa.'

Rev. Jamie White, who attended to Atkinson in her final days, described a quiet moment near the end of her life. He recited Psalm 23, a passage Atkinson deeply cherished, and she began to whisper the words back to him. White told the crowd that those were the last words he heard from her. He noted that this verse provided her with comfort as her consciousness faded, grounding her in a promise of love that she had trusted throughout her life.

Speakers at the service emphasized that Atkinson's motivations were rooted in her faith rather than a desire for recognition. Her grandson, Nate Hooper, said that understanding why she acted was more important than knowing what she accomplished. He recalled her telling him that if Jesus Christ were on earth, this is what he would be doing. Sharon Eubank, a former director of humanitarian services, shared a similar sentiment, quoting Atkinson's belief that she could do all things through Christ who strengthened her.

Gov. Cox stated that he never needed to ask what Jesus would do because he could simply look at what Atkinson was actually doing. He shared a final message from her, in which she urged people to follow Jesus, calling it an easy task. Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described her as a living embodiment of pure love and a catalyst for good in the communities they share.

Atkinson's work included counseling government officials, establishing medical clinics for low-income families, and helping run the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. She served on the state Board of Regents and collaborated with church leaders to organize humanitarian aid. In the basement of the church where she was buried, two 'Pamela's Closets' provide clothing and hygiene supplies to those in need. Her name also appears on a medical clinic serving the homeless, a homeless trust fund, and a men's resource center.

Rev. White concluded his homily by delivering a message Atkinson had asked him to share. She expressed hope that her life would remind people how easy it is to reach out and help someone. She described the congregation as the hands and feet of Christ, encouraging them to use their time to love the world. She ended with a simple question: with 24 hours in a day, how will we use those hours?