Pamela Lynn Scoggins, 68 years old, and resident of San Rafael, CA, sadly passed away in the tragic San Rafael Canal apartment fire in the early hours of August 21, 2025; shocking and saddening an entire community along with close family and friends.
Pamela left behind her Sister-In-Law Evelyn Scoggins-Kathol, Niece Stephanie Scoggins-LaPlant and husband Tom LaPlant, great-nephews Travis and Caleb and great-nieces Rachel and Bethany, along with, Nephew Jason Scoggins and wife Kara Scoggins, great-nephew Finn and great-niece Wren. As well as her five other greatgreat nieces and nephew.
Pam, as she was commonly known, was a bright, tenacious, and vivacious presence from the very beginning of her life. She was born on October 11, 1956 in Vallejo, CA. She was happily and lovingly adopted by her two parents Elwood C Scoggins and Betty E Scoggins (Sapp) as the younger of their two beloved children. Legend has it that her older brother, Craig E Scoggins, who preceded his sister in death in August of 2016, was the one who decided on choosing Pamela Lynn as his litter sister.
The Scoggins Family began their first years in Vallejo, CA and then later moved to the Browns Valley suburb of Napa, CA, where her parents were models of family, friendship, and community. Pam grew up learning about what it meant to be a friend and to put others first.
Pam graduated from Napa High School in 1976 and went into the California Conservation Corps where she honed in on her skills to become independent and learn about hard work, service and community. She later entered into a group home and continued her mission towards independence and helping and serving others in need.
Pam spent two decades actively enrolled in community college in Napa and San Rafael simply to push herself and to prove she could go beyond her own thresholds; and she absolutely did! Pam, was always pushing back personally to rise above the social stigmas and constructs of what it meant to be handicapped or physically and mentally challenged due to a birth injury. Pam never allowed the default challenge to define her but allowed it to refine her as a human being, which was one of her greatest qualities.
Though she understood and accepted the reality of the challenges she faced, she never let that set her back and she took it as an actual challenge. Her fight and resolve always stayed strong as she fought to ensure that she remained inclusive and relevant which in turn spurred her on to encourage others to do the same. -- Always believing and achieving; attaining and never restraining to love others -- All with joy, love, acceptance and a positive attitude.
Pam had an insatiable love for animals and spent her life surrounding herself in different applications that provided the opportunity to love them. While in Napa she worked as a groomer for years, volunteered time at a doggie daycare in San Rafael, and throughout, she would spend as much time as she could loving on anyone's animal unconditionally and happily.
Pam never knew a stranger. Her love was pure and she brought so many smiles and made friends everywhere she went. Because of her own story and the challenges she faced, her compassion and understanding for the disabled community was paramount. She spent years of her life working in group homes and being in different positions where she advocated and supported those who needed her. She picked up odd jobs simply to be a part of the community, to be around people, and to simply be a helping hand.
The last 2 decades in San Rafael, Pam joyfully volunteered for years at Marin County Enterprise Resource Center. She was a peer counselor; eventually advancing to peer support specialist, a peer companion, she worked on the street team, and she participated on the mental health board.
Pamela Lynn Scoggins took her pain and her plight and gave it a purpose. She wore a smile everywhere she went. She loved hard and fought hard for what she believed in; bringing a voice of hope, humanity and peace. Ultimately, Pam believed in LOVE.
We love you Pam and you will always be in our hearts.
Celebration of life will held at Napa Valley Life Church
2303 Trower Ave. Napa, Ca 94558 October 18, 2025 @ 1 pm ■