Pamela Anne Vesilind

Pamela Anne Vesilind of South Royalton, Vermont, passed away on March 23, 2026, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Pamela was born in Durham, North Carolina on June 17, 1965 to Aarne Vesilind and Gail Bredehoeft. She is survived by her partner, Bradley Sick; her mother, Gail Bredehoeft and stepfather, Steven Bredehoeft; her brother, Stephen Vesilind and her sister, Lauren Vesilind Neufeld. Pamela was preceded in death by her father.

Pamela was a loving aunt to multiple nieces and nephews including May; Jake, Audrey and James; Oscar and Sydney; Julia and Forest; Jack, Noah, Elllie, and Hannah. She cherished the time spent with them and she will be missed.

As a child, Pamela lived with her family for a year in Oslo, Norway and nearly a year in New Zealand where her father was on sabbatical leave. These experiences expanded her outlook and appreciation of the world and its creatures, great and small. As a young adult, she traveled to Southern Australia where she volunteered with Earthwatch to study the effects of the environment on the endangered Leadbeater’s possum.

Pamela completed her baccalaureate degree in Political Science at Guilford College. After a decade working within the Research Triangle’s software industry, she followed her calling to obtain her J.D. from Vermont Law School. Pursuing advanced studies, she subsequently received her LL.M. in Agriculture and Food Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Her life-long love of animals and her concern for their well-being initiated her movement into a career of teaching and practice in the field of animal law. She was a member of the state bar in both North Carolina and Vermont. She most recently taught on the faculty of Vermont Law and Graduate School where she was awarded the “Faculty Service Award“ by the Student Bar Association an unprecedented three times. She took great pride in the many former students who have used their legal skills to improve the condition of animals.

Over the years, she adopted multiple feline and canine friends including Popcorn, Tabitha, Clementine, Jerome, Talulah, Barney, Peanut, Little Man, Fritz, Possum and Opie, all of whom adored her.

Her family and friends, along with the many who considered her an ideal role model, will miss her profoundly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 22nd at the North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill from 5-7 pm. RSVP not required, but if you are able, please let us know you will be joining us by emailing waterbirdvt@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Beyond Fences.