Pamela Audine Hahl

Article Last Updated; Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Durango resident Pamela Audine Hahl died of cancer in Durango on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008. She had just turned 60.

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Hahl

Known as "Miss Pam," she was born in Denver to Aud Henshaw and Moray Ward on Nov. 26, 1948. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver in 1966, she earned an associate's degree in early-childhood education.

On May 24, 1980, she married Thomas Lynn Hahl in Littleton.

Mrs. Hahl began teaching at her daughter's preschool and followed her to Eugene Field Elementary School in Littleton. After beginning there as a librarian, she eventually became an art teacher for 300 students, a position she held for 12 years.

She moved to Durango in 2006 with her husband, Tom Hahl, who was beginning a new job as carpenter at the Strater Hotel.

Her family said her dream was to finish her bachelor's degree in fine arts, which she was working toward after moving to Durango. Mrs. Hahl was majoring in art and Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College and had a 3.5 grade point average. She was scheduled to graduate in May 2009.

She enjoyed taking a class at FLC with her daughter, Jessica Hahl.

Mrs. Hahl was a member of the San Juan Basin Archaeological Society and enjoyed the aquacize class at Trimble Hot Springs.

She was a passionate artist who enjoyed painting and drawing landscapes. She enjoyed reading mysteries and doing crossword puzzles. Her family said Mrs. Hahl was an excellent backgammon player and enjoyed playing solitaire.

She was interested in the history and culture of the Southwest, particularly enjoying spending time at the many heritage and archaeological sites in the area. Mrs. Hahl also enjoyed volunteering at the museum at the Center of Southwest Studies.

Mrs. Hahl is survived by her husband, Tom Hahl, of Durango; daughter, Jessica Hahl, of Portland, Ore.; sons Travis Henshaw of Denver and Brett Hunt of Los Angeles; sister, Paullette Gerardy, of Lafayette; brother, David Henshaw, of Memphis, Tenn.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at the Waterfall Ranch, 4181 County Road 203. A celebration of life will be held after.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be sent to a fund being set up for the Center of Southwest Studies at the Fort Lewis College Foundation, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301.