Pamela Rae Frese

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Dr. Pamela Rae Frese, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, educator, and friend, on May 4, 2026, at her home surrounded by the love of her family. Born on July 15, 1952, in Louisville, Kentucky, Pam was a beacon of warmth and wisdom who touched the lives of all who knew her.

Pam's journey through life was marked by a commitment to education and social justice. She earned her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Virginia. In August 1986, she joined the faculty at The College of Wooster, where her passion for teaching and her students was evident every day until her passing. Pam's scholarship and love of learning inspired her many students, leaving a legacy of curiosity and compassion.

Pam served as president and an active member of the Friends of OneEighty committee, contributing to community education and engagement. She advocated for racial equality through her longstanding involvement with the Wooster/Orrville chapter of the NAACP, where she helped organize the annual Freedom Fund dinner and supporting fundraising efforts. Pam's contributions to the programming for Martin Luther King Day at The College of Wooster reflected her deep belief in the power of education and dialogue to bring about change. Pam attended the Wooster Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy, was a member of their alumni association, served on the board and volunteered at community events.

Beyond her professional and community work, Pam was a woman of many interests and hobbies. She found joy in nurturing her garden, tending to her flower beds and lawn. Pam was also an avid player of World of Warcraft, where she forged friendships that spanned the globe. Her love for car rides through the countryside, indulging in strawberry shakes and chocolate malts, and her playful spirit in playing ogres with her grandchildren are cherished memories that her family will forever hold dear. Summers spent at the Renaissance Festival with her grandchildren were moments of magic and joy that will be remembered with great love.

Pam's life was enriched by her loving family. She married Simon Gray on May 12, 1984, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Pam was a devoted mother to their two children, James Gray and Selena Draper, and a cherished Maw Maw to her four grandsons – Teven, Kannon, Killian, and Juno. She will be missed by her sister, Nancy Osbourne, and two nephews, Ben and Calvin Minor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Edith Frese, whose lives she honored through her own dedication to family and community.

A private graveside service will be held at Foxfield Preserve. A public celebration of life will be held at The Connection, 1034 Country Club Drive in Wooster from 2 – 4 pm on Tuesday May 12.

As we remember and celebrate the life of Pamela Rae Frese, we invite you to honor her memory by embracing the values she held dear: curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to making the world a better place. She will be profoundly missed, but her spirit will continue to inspire those of us who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to OneEighty at www.one-eighty.org/get-involved/make-a-financial-donation.