PAMELA ELAINE MATTHEWS KOENIG was born March 23, 1963 in Dallas, Tx to Clark and Janice Matthews. Born in the spring, a time of joy and hope, Pam always had a positive attitude and was affectionately called “Perky Pam.” She embodied the spirit of Tigger, who was also bouncy and fun. Pam lit up the room when she came in and had a way of making you feel better just being around her. Her joy was contagious.

From early on, Pam had a love for animals of all kinds. Not only did she love dogs, always bringing one more home, but she also loved rabbits, hamsters and ferrets. She especially loved horses. She began to ride at a young age and continued even after an accident landed her in the hospital in traction for 6 weeks with a broken femur.

Pam used her “perkiness” at Hillcrest High School as a cheerleader. She has always loved music and was involved in choir and musical productions during these years. She graduated in 1981 and went to Baylor University, where she pledged Chi Omega. She transferred to Brookhaven, which is where she met her husband, Hank. They returned to Baylor to complete their degrees and Pam graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Pam married Hank Koenig July 6, 1985. Their son Matthew Koenig was born July 25, 1989. Pam and Matt have always been close, and she did all she could to help him grow into the fine man he is today.

Pam’s first job was with The Southland Corporation in the design department. She was able to use her creativity in this job but later felt a desire to do something more people- oriented. She studied to become an Occupational Therapist and worked many years at Zale Lipshy Hospital. She furthered her career by getting certified as a lymphedema specialist. She loved getting to know and care for all kinds of people and knew she had found what she was meant to do. Her colleagues and patients really trusted her care, which went above and beyond.

Matt and his wife Sam have two little boys, Pam’s grandchildren, Camden (4) and Noah (2). Pam and Hank attended Compass Church with Matt’s family and Sam’s parents, Brian and Rhonda Hallman, where she and Hank were both baptized in the past year. Not only had they grown closer together, but they also had grown closer to God as their faith became more important to them. The Hallman family loves to play games, and Pam embraced these family times together.

Pam fully recovered from her early riding accident and went on to own several horses, keeping Mercedes, Amir and Jazz at her dad’s farm in Kaufman, spending as much time as possible there. Pam was a high point rider for many years with the Kaufman County Riding Club, winning many awards. She enjoyed sharing her love of horses with others, especially the younger generation, who often saw her as a role model and inspiration.

Hank began calling Pam “Sunshine” around 10 years ago, saying she brought joy to any room with her smile and energy. Their love has grown stronger these past few years and they are each other’s best friend. One thing Pam and Hank enjoyed doing for fun was cruising – anytime, anywhere, on any ship. They also enjoyed outside adventures like white water rafting and recent trips to Broken Bow, OK with family. Pam had an adventurous spirit that was always curious and outgoing. Pam and Hank also enjoyed going to movies and became the family “go to” for reviews. She loved good food, decorating for Christmas, Snoopy, spending time with her family and friends, is famous for her pumpkin tea bread, gave great hugs, and she was never afraid of hard work.

Pam passed away peacefully at home on August 24, 2026. She was surrounded by the love and prayers of her family and dogs. Her grandparents, Gran and Papaw Matthews of Midland, Tx, and Mamaw and Grandaddy Hill of Dallas, Tx died before her and will greet her in heaven. She will be especially happy to reunite with her mom, Janice Matthews, who died too young at 54 years old, and her dad, Clark Matthews, who died just four years ago. Those of us who remain, her husband Hank Koenig, her son Matt Koenig and his wife Sam along with their two children Camden and Noah, and her sisters Trish Matthews (children Jennifer Moore, Trevor Williamson, and Megan Williamson) and Christy Stammen (husband Thad Stammen and children Sierra and Dayton Stammen), her cousin Susan Mahon, and many other extended family and dear friends will miss her every day. She showed us all how to live courageously with a life-limiting diagnosis, not letting it change how she lived each day to the fullest, beating the odds for almost 3 years. She died of glioblastoma while on hospice at home. The way Pam lived with such joy and compassion touched so many, and her strength and determination during her illness has made her our hero, “the wind beneath our wings.” Our world will not be the same without her in it, but we carry her in our hearts and have made precious memories that can never be taken away. We love you and already miss you so much, Pam.

A celebration of her life will be held at Circle R Ranch, a perfect place to honor her love of country and horses. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society (https://American Cancer Society/?campaign=honormemorialbutton&lang=en) or Operation Kindness (https://www.operationkindness.org/make-a-memorial-gift/).