AP Councilwoman Pamela Sych dies after battle with pancreatic cancer

 

By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers

ALLEN PARK — “Amazing,” “intelligent” and “a dedicated woman” — those are the words City Councilman Matthew Valerius used to describe the late Councilwoman Pamela Sych, 59, who died Nov. 12 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

A moment of silence was held for Sych at the Nov. 23 council meeting, where she was honored by each of the council members and Mayor Gail McLeod.

During her comments, McLeod spoke about her first interaction with Sych and the many conversations they had. 

“We had many conversations — it was never contentious, it wasn’t argumentative, it wasn’t disagreeable, it was a conversation between two adults who respected one another and no on was bitter at the end and no one was the worst for wear and we all learned something,” she said.

“As I indicated to her, I willed her — I wanted her so much to just last a little longer, because she had so much to give, so much more she could’ve given and we got cheated.”

Valerius said Sych’s knowledge and willingness to serve others will be dearly missed.

“She was an advocate for women and served the city of Allen Park throughout her illness,” he said. “She was an inspiration and will be deeply missed.”

Councilman Charles Blevins said he knew Sych since high school and provided condolences to her daughter and husband. 

“There’s so much I could say about Pam — mother, daughter, wife, the honorable councilman,” he said. “The memories, you got to keep close to your heart and she will always be missed and I will never forget her and I hope she’s not suffering.”

In his comments, Councilman Daniel Loyd praised Sych’s leadership. 

“There’s a saying that leadership is planting trees that you’ll never sit on and I feel very confident that the work that Pam has done in the last two years on this council and through a lifetime of service will continue to benefit generations of not only Allen Parkers but in the various communities that she has served,” he said. 

Councilman Gary Schlack told stories about his relationship with Sych over the years. 

“Pam, I will hold the memories of you in my heart forever, the kindness you shared, the comfort you showed, the love you brought into the lives of my family and I,” he said. “Though it was only two short years, we became true friends, friends like that never leave your heart even if they leave your life for a while, even after years. When we return together in the heavens we will pick up that conversation that we last had and begin again.”

When he heard the news, Councilman Tony Lalli said he was deeply saddened Sych passed away.

“Pam was such a wonderful, caring and brilliant human being and will be profoundly missed in the council,” he said during the meeting.

Sych leaves her husband, Richard Sych, and daughter, Sara Sych. She was the sister of the late James Smith and daughter of the late James and Cathy Smith.

Funeral services were held at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Allen Park Nov. 18.

Sych was elected to the City Council in November 2019 and worked as a project management analyst in West Bloomfield Township since September 2015.

She was previously an engineering specialist from March 2013 to September 2015 and property appraiser from March 2012 to March 2013, according to her LinkedIn.

From August 2010 to May 2012 she worked as a building department clerical team leader for the city of Southgate. Sych also was a plan review engineer for the Wayne County Department of Public Services from May 1985 to October 2009.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Lawrence Technological University, also according to her LinkedIn.

With the death of Sych, Dennis Marcos was appointed to the council and took the oath of office at the Nov. 23 meeting administered by City Clerk Michael Mizzi.

He will fill the reminder of Sych’s term ending November 2023.

According to the Allen Park city charter, “If a vacancy occurs in the office of councilperson the council shall, by a majority vote of its remaining members, fill the vacancy at the next regularly scheduled council meeting with the unsuccessful candidate for city council who had the highest vote at the last city election and who wishes to serve.”

In the November 2019 general election, Blevins finished seventh and Marcos finished eighth for one of the six seats on the council.

Blevins already filled the seat of former Councilman Robert Stites who died in January 2020 so Marcos was next in line and accepted the position.

(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)