DENVER -- Our beloved friend and colleague -- 7NEWS Meteorologist Pam Daale -- passed away Sunday afternoon after fighting a courageous, lengthy battle with breast cancer.

Known to friends, coworkers and viewers as one of the most kind and compassionate people in the industry, Pam was surrounded by her loving family as the cancer claimed her life on Sunday.

You can send e-mail condolences to PamsFamily@TheDenverChannel.com. If you would like to send in a card, please mail it to:
Pam Daale's Family
c/o 7NEWS
123 Speer Blvd
Denver, CO 80203

Pam was a meteorologist for 7NEWS beginning in May 1993. Pam anchored the weather for 7NEWS Saturday and Sunday. While Pam has been recognized as one of Denver's most reliable and knowledgeable forecasters, the first thing that many viewers noticed about Pam was her wheelchair.

When she was 16, Pam had a horseback riding accident on her family's farm in Hawarden, Iowa. The accident severed her spinal cord, and Pam was left a paraplegic.

But Pam never let the accident slow her down. Years later Pam began an 18-year career in television. Pam's strength was called upon again when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. She used her battle with cancer to help others. Pam's deep faith kept her going even during the difficult times. Her family and coworkers can attest that more often than not, she would console them rather than accept the sympathy herself.

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Tribute To Pam Daale Pam's Journey Remembering Pam Daale Pam's Online Journal

"Pam's courage, strength and faith was an inspiration to all of us," said Denver's 7NEWS Director Byron Grandy. "She was a true professional, committed to her craft; but more than that, she was a truly kind and caring human being. We are all better off for knowing her."

In addition to Pam's commitment to predicting Colorado's ever-changing weather, community service was very important in Pam's life.

She participated as a member of the board of directors for Goodwill Industries, the Easter Seal Society and Mountain States Horse Rescue and Rehab. She also participated in the activities of many nonprofit organizations including the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Junior Wheelchair Sports Association, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Ms. Wheelchair Colorado, Ms. Wheelchair America and Very Special Arts Colorado, and has spoken at several DARE graduations.

Pam was 40 years old.

Pam's Life

For Pam, her life was about her children, her husband and best friend, Don, and her strong faith. Pam was a woman who faced the toughest challenges head-on.

She didn't know any other way.

"She was raised to be courageous, you know, she was raised not thinking it's courage, it's just a matter of do it," said her husband, Don.

Pam and Don met in college, working at the same TV station in Iowa.

"She almost ran me over, I was going one way down a hallway and she was coming the other way. She went around the corner and there I was. I was dead meat, road pizza," Don said.

"I hit him," Pam said.

That hit led to a first date -- eventually four years of them -- and then marriage. The love in their hearts grew and so did their family with two children, Taryn and Logan.

They were enjoying their new home, designing a back yard when the summer of 2002 brought bad news.

"She keeps things from me," Don said.

"He worries, so I didn't want to tell him right away that I had a lump," Pam had said.

A lump that turned out to be breast cancer. A lump doctors called aggressive.

Pam had chemotherapy, she kept working and she went public with her battle to help countless others facing their own challenge with cancer.

Cards, letters and e-mails poured in thanking Pam for sharing her story. Pam just wanted to thank everyone who shared with her.

At Race for the Cure, Pam's support team included friends, family and co-workers. Pam was so encouraged and inspired by the human sea of survivors.

One year after diagnosis, Pam was cancer-free. But sadly, that aggressive tumor didn't give up.

Last November, Pam had a re-occurrance. In her online journal she wrote, "We were shocked, but not devastated. We still totally trust in God's plan. I can look back on so many things in my life that seemed to be negative, but see how God turned them into blessings. I am already seeing a blessing from this in that my husband and I are closer than ever."

Pam never saw herself as a role model, she simply trusted in God's plan and just wanted to help others. She wanted everyone to know the importance of self-exams. Through the long months of her battle, Pam was a source of strength to everyone around her.

She was a woman of class and a model of courage and faith.

"Pam is a soldier for God. That may sound cliche, but it's true. That's where she gets her strength, she gets her strength from her faith," Don said. "Through this whole experience, she has performed just like she is, without complaining, put her nose down and just does what she has to do."

Pam's journal from the last year and a half can still be read online. If you have a moment, remember her family in your prayers, she would appreciate that.

More Information

Pam's Journal
Pam's Bio
Send e-mail condolences to PamsFamily@TheDenverChannel.com
Cards can be sent to the station. Our address is 123 Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203.