Pamela Helen Riel

Pamela Helen Riel (Kaff), born February 21, 1954 in Bakersfield, California, to Helen Ruth Miller and Kenneth Edwin Kaff. Pam was the youngest of four siblings; Larry Kaff, Darrell Kaff and Brent Kaff. Pam was a graduate of North High School where she was active in performing arts. She received a Bachelor’s degree in English and studied Biblical Studies at Talbot School of Theology. While attending college, Pam met her beloved husband, David Riel, through Campus Crusade for Christ in 1975 and married shortly after on August 26, 1978. Using her English major, Pam helped write David’s exam papers throughout his Nursing and Physician Assistant studies. Pam was a proud mother to Jonathan Riel, Benjamin Riel and Elise Riel. She was a very active and involved Nana to Kelly Riel and Abigail Riel, whom she loved dearly. Later in life, Pam went back to college and graduated with her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University, Bakersfield. She worked at various organizations including Alliance Against Family Violence, Center for Neuro Skills, Mary K. Shell and Kern County Behavioral Health. She loved working with children, domestic violence victims, sexual assault victims and brain injured clients. Pam had a beautiful voice. She started performing in high school and college and went on to be in a trio entitled "Song of Joy" with her friends Sue Walker and Marsha Russell. She loved singing in the church choir at University Baptist Church and Calvary Bible Church. Pam was involved in various local theater productions at Bakersfield Civic Light Opera and Star’s Musical Theater including Pygmalion, One Foot in Heaven, A Gap in Generations, Flowers for Algernon, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Up the Down Staircase, Twelfth Night, Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, King and I, Camelot, Cinderella, Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof, Mame, Hello Dolly, Meshugga-nuns, Hairspray, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Anything Goes, Funny Girl, Evita, Annie, Chorus Line, Cats, Mousetrap, Swingtime Canteen, George M!, My Favorite Year, Call Me Madam, Babes in Toyland, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Hollywood Babylon, Camp Condor, Addie May’s Cafe, My Fair Lady, Wrinkles, Moon Over Buffalo, Dearly Departed and many more. Throughout her life, Pam interpreted for the deaf community at church services and ceremonies. More recently, because of her hearing loss, Pam became an active member with the Laurelglen Bible Church deaf community and enjoyed spending time with the church congregation, especially her bible study group. Retired in 2018, Pam’s joys in life included daily duties of caring for her beloved dog, Jazzy (Princess Jasmine) and 6 cats (all of which would take turns cuddling with her every 30 minutes). Pam liked to frequent Disneyland to visit Goofy; and Phoenix, to visit her granddaughter, Abigail. Pam is now singing and dancing with her family and friends in Heaven. Her willingness to contribute to those in need will continue through the lives of people she touched. Her light will continue to shine through the precious memories we all have with her. In lieu of sending flowers or gifts and in Remembrance of Pam, please donate to Love Deaf Haiti (https://www.lovedeafhaiti.org/), Southern Poverty Law Center (https://www.splcenter.org/support-us/), or Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault (https://opendoorhelps.org/) to contribute to those in need.

Pamela Helen Riel

February 21, 1954 - March 5, 2026

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Pamela Helen Riel

February 21, 1954 - March 5, 2026

365 Days of Grief Support

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About Us

Grief & Healing

What We Do

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Resources

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