Pamela Woods Vandertulip

Pamela “Pam” Woods Vandertulip, 77 of El Paso, Texas, died after a courageous battle with liver cancer on February 14, 2024. Pam was a beloved wife, mother, stepmother, aunt, and friend, and was adored by anyone who had the honor of crossing her life’s path.

Pam was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma on February 4, 1947, to Oleta Faye Shiflett Woods and Kenneth Bloss Woods. She graduated from Cyril High School before studying “Boys, Booze, and Bridge” at Oklahoma State University.  She eventually made her way to El Paso, Texas where she graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso.  

She met the love of her life, Clay in 1980 at University Presbyterian Church while singing in the choir. In 1983, they were married in that same church. Clay’s daughter, Dianna “Charlie” Lester-Zeiner, gave Pam the new role of stepmother, which she cherished. In 1985, they welcomed another daughter, Katherine Woods Vandertulip, her life’s greatest joy. 

She taught for 27 years as an elementary school reading teacher at Hacienda Heights, Pasodale, and Eastwood Knolls Elementary Schools in the Ysleta Independent School District. Her passion for childhood literacy led her to teach youth in our community how to read and cultivated their love of books. From 2000 to 2001, she served as the President of the International Reading Association’s El Paso Chapter.

She retired from teaching in 2006 and devoted herself fully to her antique business, Tulip’s Antiques and Consignments, where she curated a shop of fine furnishings, unique jewelry, and specialty gifts. She loved being surrounded by and wearing beautiful things.  The store afforded her an outlet to add to her collections of china, costume jewelry, objects d'art, and friends. 

 Pam was a lover of life and having FUN! She could regularly be found watching UTEP Basketball (Go Lady Miners!) and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. A lover of games, Pam, played duplicate bridge at the El Paso Bridge Center, had a monthly bunco night with her Bunco Babes group, and kept her mind active with daily sessions of Settlers of Catan. Always with a needle in hand and eagerness to stay busy, Pam was a crafter. Her crafts included but were not limited to cross stitching, needlepoint, quilting, and rug hooking. A great cook and fabulous baker, her chocolate chip cookies, Italian cream cake, and fried okra were adored by friends and family. She frequently travelled with Clay to Las Vegas to play the slots and New York City to enjoy Broadway shows, museums and many lunches at the Cafeteria NYC or Jack’s Wife Frieda. 

Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Oleta and Kenneth, and is survived by her husband, Clay Vandertulip, daughter, Katherine Vandertulip (Alex Balok), stepdaughter, Charlie Lester-Zeiner, (Gus Zeiner), grandchildren Zane and Trey Zeiner, many nieces and nephews, and cousins. 

A special thanks for her medical care to Dr. Kaseb and Kristen Carter at MD Anderson, Dr Juan Herrada at Texas Oncology, and Dr. Abraham Gonzalez. 

A memorial service will be held, Saturday, February 24, 2:00 p.m. at University Presbyterian Church, located at 244 Resler Drive. Friends and family gathering to celebrate her life should wear black (black suit preferred) and your favorite piece(s) of costume jewelry in memory of our stylish Pam. Pallbearers include German Avila-Pineda, Robert Taylor, Tony Duran, Eugene Bates, Tim Engelhard, Edgar Flores, and Rubin Ortiz. A family graveside service will be held on Monday, February 26 with interment to follow at Memory Gardens of the Valley.

In lieu of flowers, honor Pam's favorite activity, cheering on the UTEP women's basketball team, by making a donation to the Miner Athletic Club (MAC) in memory of Pam Vandertulip. Send checks to: UTEP Athletics 500 W. University Ave, El Paso TX 79968 or online at: https://pickaproject.utep.edu/project/28340/donate .

Those who cannot attend in person may join the funeral and memorial services virtually on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/sunsetfuneralhome/ (no account is needed).