We Say Good Bye to Pam
By Mike Rhodes

A memorial service was held for Pamela Kincaid on Sunday, August 26. Pam, who died earlier this month under suspicious circumstances, was the lead named plaintiff in the homeless lawsuit against the City of Fresno. For more information about her life and death see: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/08/18/18441458.php

The memorial service was organized by several of the women Pam knew. Brian and Liza Apper of the Saint Benedict Catholic Worker worked particularly hard to bring art, music, and stories about Pam’s life to the event. Everyone was given a box of Crayola Markers and asked to create an image that reminded them of Pam. Some people wrote words that symbolized some of Pam’s qualities - like “kindness, gentle, courageous, and brave.”

Her friend Steve, who she was living with shortly before her death, painted a rainbow and said “she is a rainbow”and that “she wanted dignity and respect for everyone.” Randy Johnson, who is one of the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said Pam told him that she was not in the lawsuit for the money - she was in it because she wanted to help all homeless people. He drew a picture of a tent - one for him and another for her.

The attorneys in the lawsuit are from the Bay Area and they all came to the memorial service. Attorney Paul Alexander chose the word “courageous” to describe Pam. He said “we will always keep Pam in our hearts.”

Pieter Moerdyk led participants in several songs with his acoustic guitar, getting good group participation when he sang Come Out Of The Shadows. The chorus went like this:

Come out of the shadows and step into the light
You might have to quarrel
You might have to fight
Mother earth will applaud you and the universe will smile
Come out of the shadows
And stay with us a while.

Annabella Uxmal, a formerly homeless Fresno woman, read several of her poems. There is a video of her excellent reading at the end of this story.

The memorial service honored Pam for standing up for justice, it gave her friends an opportunity to mourn her death, and gave dignity and respect to this homeless woman who made a difference in this community.