Pamela Cheryl Olinto

Pamela Cheryl Olinto, 75, of Smyrna, passed away suddenly on November 21st, 2024. She could be described as small in stature but large in determination. She led her life with courage and commitment. Whether it was fitting in such as living her teenage years in Germany as a military brat while going to High School, to marriage living in Sweden where she had two of her three boys, to riding her bike to university classes in England and learning how to drive on the wrong side of the road. She managed it all with quiet, steely resolve. She was born on March 23, 1949, to Betty Alice McCollon Hale and William Byrd Hale, a US Army officer. She is survived by her three boys, Mike Hedelius, John Hedelius (Tara) and David Hedelius (Holli), and her 4 grandkids Preston, Chase, Emma and Sarah. She is also survived by her three step daughters Melissa Cantrell (Harold), Lauren Reagin (Todd), and Kirsten Wittan (Adam), and her 8 Step Grandchildren, Haley, Griffin, Benjamin, Mary Ellen, Sarah, Elise, Vivian, and Brooks. Finally, but not least, she is survived by her brother, Christopher Hale. Pam was preceded in death by her husband Crosby Olinto in 2019. Her companion, Jay O’Meara, who she met about a year later, shared her love and care of her two cats and African Grey parrot. Pam received her undergraduate degree in English and earned a Master’s degree in Education from Georgia State University. She worked as a Special Education teacher at Nickajack, Still elementary, and Campbell Middle schools in Cobb county and always kept a place in her heart for children with special needs. One of her last volunteer jobs was tutoring elementary school kids for whom English was a second language. Pam wrote two novels and recently completed a memoir of her years in Sweden for her children. She was a talented weaver and painter, a dedicated practitioner of yoga and a life-long student. Her family and friends were dear to her, and she made sure to keep them close. Her passing leaves a gap in the universe of so many who knew and loved her. A service in her honor will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 1pm at Mayes Ward Dobbins Historic Marietta Chapel in Marietta, GA with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Learning Disabilities Association of America. https://ldaamerica.org/donate/

Pamela Cheryl Olinto

March 23, 1949 - November 21, 2024