Pamela "Pam" Lindgren Stirland's Obituary
Pam had a contagious personality and a laugh that is, without question, now filling heaven. She lived a life rooted in both Utah and California, maintaining connections with the people she loved in both states.
Pam was born in the “Little Italy” neighborhood on the west side of Salt Lake City. She graduated from West High School, where she developed a lifelong love for people, dance, and the performing arts.
Pam’s parents, Frank and Lola “Yolanda” Lindgren, were local entrepreneurs. Following Frank’s service in the United States Air Force during World War II, they opened restaurants and coffee shops throughout the Salt Lake City area. Their entrepreneurial spirit and love of hospitality helped shape Pam’s own path in life.
Pam found her niche as a restaurateur and became well known in the Salt Lake City area. She had a natural gift for connecting with people through acts of service, conversation, and the simple joy of breaking bread together.
Her passion for the service industry eventually led her to start a catering business in Salt Lake City called Indulgences, alongside her dear friend Paulette Cunningham. The company was a start-up before start-ups were common. Pam and Paulette ran the business from their homes and from the kitchens of the restaurants Pam managed. They loved sharing the culinary arts with others and brought enthusiasm, creativity, and friendship to everything they did.
Pam’s last restaurant venture in Salt Lake City was running Pam’s Code-7, a coffee shop owned by her father and located in the old Salt Lake City Public Safety Building. That chapter had a life-changing impact on Pam and her family.
Pam had two sons, Lance and Travis, during her marriage to Rean Vandongen. Though the marriage ended, Pam, Rean, and Rean’s soulmate, Becky Vandongen, remained lifelong friends. Together, they built and supported the families that grew from that relationship.
Pam later married her soulmate, Richard Stirland. Together they moved to California and began a new chapter in life. Richard was a skilled F-16 mechanic who worked at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and later at Naval Air Station Miramar in California.
While in California, Pam continued to build close relationships with others in the restaurant business. After Richard’s passing, she became best friends with Pam Mindel. The two widows forged a beautiful friendship filled with travel, adventure, laughter, and companionship.
Pam returned to Utah for the final 12 years of her life. During that time, she had the blessing of growing close to her grandchildren: Alex, Samuel, Pierce, Abigail, and Rhea. She was a loving babysitter to Pierce, Abigail, and Rhea, who still fondly remember their walks together to parks and playgrounds or time spent attending local theater performances.
Pam greatly enjoyed her last job with Harmons at Station Park in Farmington. Her infectious personality and unforgettable laugh made her a perfect fit as a clerk. She had a gift for connecting with people, even during the brief moments shared while groceries were being purchased. She was always grateful for the kindness Harmons showed her during her time there.
Pam was a lifelong cat lover, and no telling of her life would be complete without mentioning the feline companions who brought her so much comfort and joy. Her last two cats, Bean and Arthur, were especially dear to her and became treasured companions in her later years.
Pam leaves behind a legacy of compassion, kindness, service, and joy. She will be remembered for generations to come.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Stirland; her brother, Craig; and her parents, Frank and Lola Lindgren. She is survived by her sons, Lance (and wife, Cristal) and Travis (and wife, Niki); her five grandchildren, Alex (and husband, Devin), Samuel, Pierce, Abigail, and Rhea; great-grandchildren, Dutch and Weston; and co-parents Rean “Max” and Becky Vandongen.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Bountiful, Utah, on June 16th 2026 at 4:00 PM.
We are comforted knowing Pam is reunited with her family and loved ones. She made an impression on all of us and we love her—always.
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