Words from Margaret Keelty, Associates Committee

It is with sadness we report the passing of past Sailing Associate Member Pamela (Pam) Neate, CYCA dancing queen and champion raffle ticket seller.

Pam joined the CYCA in 1994 when she moved to Elizabeth Bay. I remember meeting her at the New Member Cocktail Party that year and how excited she was about joining the Club.

Pam became active in the Club very quickly, joining the Associates Committee in 1996 and serving on the committee for over 20 years.

She was the Associates’ champion raffle ticket seller. Pam Messenger and Kaye Brookes remember her as a great help with the sale of tickets, especially for the Christmas Hamper. Pam was also an active fundraiser for the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation.

She enjoyed getting out on the water particularly for the Parade of Sail, whether in the crew on Cherana or aboard the review vessel. Pamela Emerson remembers her always looking the part in her navy jacket when on Boomerang.

In more recent years, Cathie Mulherin recalls sailing with her on Shaaron Walsh’s Trim and how she shone whenever on the water.

Pam loved dancing. Her family remember her as their ‘dancing queen’ and she certainly demonstrated this at the CYCA whenever she got the chance. She loved to have a dance at the Clubhouse crew parties and any other social functions that had a dance floor when she attended.

Pam resigned from the Associates Committee in 2018 due to ill health. She passed away peacefully on Thursday 15 July, aged 84.

Her smile, positive outlook, sense of humor and love of fun, along with her contribution to the CYCA will always be remembered.

She will be missed.