Born into a military family on March 12, 1947, in Oshkosh, Wis., Pamela spent her youth moving around the world; she started first grade in Japan, and graduated from high school in Nuremburg, Germany. Her grandparents’ family farm in Door County, Wis., provided consistency during lengthy separations in wartime.

Like her mother, she attended a one-room schoolhouse, at the Appleport School in Liberty Grove in Door County. She earned her bachelor of arts from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and later earned her master’s degree in library science from Rosary College in River Forest, Ill.

In 1972 she married J.H. Binford “Binnie” Peay III, and immediately embraced the adventure and challenge of being an Army officer’s wife. Tall, beautiful, intelligent and elegant ‒ her match with Binnie was perfect. Through decades of military life, they moved their family across the country to various assignments, and Pamela made each quarters a home. In 1990, Binnie deployed to the Gulf War with the 101st Airborne Division, and Pam not only took care of their two boys, but was a rock in the community at Fort Campbell when the soldiers were deployed. She was as comfortable meeting and receiving national and international leaders as she was welcoming military families, particularly during the tumultuous years of command at U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Pam loved the Virginia Military Institute community. During their over 17 years on Post at VMI, she was a constant presence. Just like in the Army, she made the Superintendent’s Quarters into a home. For her grandchildren, the superintendent’s house was “Grandma’s” where they loved to visit and would always get her pancakes for breakfast, homemade spaghetti dinner and Texas sheet cake for dessert.

She hosted numerous receptions and dinners for the board of visitors and distinguished guests, alumni, parents, football weekends, staff and faculty Christmas parties, while attending almost every parade over the years. Most of all she loved spending time with cadets. It was at her suggestion that the Peays opened the superintendent’s home and began to host every 1st Class (senior) cadet for dinner, to help them feel at ease with the traditions and expectations of formal social occasions in preparation for their future careers. Many of these cadets would stay in touch with her for years after graduating.

Pam loved her family. She was proud of her children and adored her grandchildren. She was close to her parents, Tom and Dona. Pam and her children would spend long stretches of the summer visiting her parents. She would also accompany them on trips to Europe and to many of her mother’s antique shows. Pamela will be remembered for her kindness, quiet leadership, and for making people feel welcomed and at home.

She will be missed by her husband, Binnie; sons Jim (Heather) and Ryan (Lauren); brothers Peter Pritchett (Melissa) and Steven Pritchett (Pat); her beloved grandchildren Parker, Lauren, Beatrice, Henry, Nora, Alice, Audrey, Blythe and Thomas; her cousin Melissa Brouliette (Alan); and brother-in-law, Evan Peay. She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Dona Pritchett, and by her sister, Sara Pritchett.

A celebration of life service will be held at the VMI Memorial Hall at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 13. A reception will be held at the VMI Marshall Hall immediately following the service. Her burial will be conducted at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests to direct gifts to the VMI Foundation General J.H. Binford Peay III 1962 Endowment for Academic Excellence in memory of Pamela Jane Peay.

Arrangements are by Moser Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at moserfuneralhome.com.