Proposal to honor Monrovia’s Pam Fitzpatrick with plaque moves forward

On July 31, 2018, Pamela Fitzpatrick, a dedicated and committed Monrovia community member, passed away. Fitzpatrick is widely known in the community for her legacy of service for all of Monrovia.

After an emotional discussion, Monrovia City Council agreed Tuesday to change a rule stipulating a waiting period before naming or renaming a city facility or street in recognition of a community member from five years after the individual’s death to three years.

The discussion came up when Mayor Tom Adams said that “No one can deny Pam Fitzpatrick was larger than life…” but questioned the approval of a commemorative plaque on the seat where she sat at every council meeting—before the five-year rule was adopted in 2016.

Adams pointed out that it was possible to change the rule, but it would need to be done at the next council meeting on Sept. 7.

An emotional Councilwoman Becky Shevlin made a motion to change the rule to three years and Councilwoman Gloria Grudgington seconded the motion. On July 6, Councilmembers Larry Spicer and Shevlin requested the item be considered by the full City Council Tuesday.

The item will be on the agenda in early September and likely be voted upon to recognize the extraordinary contribution Fitzpatrick made to life in Monrovia.

After moving to Monrovia in 1987, Pam made an impact on all walks of life in Monrovia. In 1991, she started a small business in Old Town with her two sisters. Her influence and dedication to the community progressively increased over the next 30 years.

She was heavily involved in the community by serving on countless boards and commissions, volunteering for a variety of service organizations and nonprofits, and leaving an imprint on this city that is not easily forgotten. Fitzpatrick served as the president of the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, member of the Monrovia Old Town Merchants Association, and member of the Community Services Commission. She was president of the Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills, co-chair of the Foothill Unity Center Auxiliary, a member of the Santa Anita Family YMCA Board, president of the Santa Anita Family Services Board, and an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Monrovia. In 1994, she served on the All-American City Committee, ultimately resulting in the City of Monrovia being successfully recognized as an All-American City.

During her three decades of service, Fitzpatrick was honored and recognized for her tireless dedication to the community. To name a few, she received the Dick Lord Award (1995), the Monroe Award (2008), the Iris Award (2015) from the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, and the 2014 Small Business Person of the Year from Assemblymember Chris Holden of the 41st Assembly District. She was also acknowledged by Senator Jack Scott and Assemblymembers Carol Liu and Dario Frommer as the 2002 Outstanding Community Volunteer. For her life’s work and her considerable impact on Monrovia, a member of the public submitted an application requesting that Fitzpatrick be recognized with a City Council chambers seat recognition plaque mounted on the very seat she sat in for every City Council meeting over the last 25 years of her life.

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