Pam Bighorn

Pam Dee Bighorn was born in Phoenix, Arizona on May 31, 1968, to Maurice Sr., and Francile (Lamere) Bighorn. She passed unexpectedly, at her home in Brockton, Montana on May 6, 2026, leaving her loved ones forever heartbroken.

Pam joined a large family, fifth of 7 at first, then 8 when James was adopted. With the household consisting of 5 girls and 3 boys, Pam was quite responsible at a young age and could be relied on by her arthritic mother to help with the daily tasks required by such a large family. Pam was bigger than life in both physicality and personality. The saying in Indian country that you’ll know someone likes you or holds you in regard because they make fun of and tease you fit Pam to a T. She and her sister Paula both stood at 5’9”, one or the other claiming there were 5’9 ½”. Sadly, her side kick passed in 2000.

In her younger years, the family moved to California and Arizona, attending schools in Missoula, Montana and Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin (her mom’s hometown), eventually returning to her dad’s hometown of Brockton.

She graduated as Salutatorian and a Lady Warrior from Brockton High School in 1986. She and her lifelong teammates were the first Brockton Girls Team to advance to a Divisional Championship game, falling one game short of making the State tournament.

Pam worked at A&S Industries during her senior year of high school. She made lifelong friends there with her joking manner and big heart. She was loyal to both friends and family alike. She worked at B&S Quick Stop like her sisters before her. She also worked at Brockton Schools for two different stints. She was a cook’s helper, making great friends with Ethylene White Hawk, head cook. She became a teacher’s aide and coached the elementary girls’ basketball and high school girls’ volleyball teams. She provided childcare for a year or two and then home healthcare for her cousin, Jessica Nedrud. She supervised the Boys & Girls Club in Brockton. She worked at the JDC in Poplar for several years. Pam loved all the children she took care of and was always thinking of ways to meet their needs with what little she had. Eventually, she moved over to the adult correction center as a cook. Pam ended her working days at the American Legion in Poplar working with her niece, Kellie and her nephews, Barry Jr., and Callan and Isaiah. In all these jobs, Pam touched lives with her generosity of time, caring and giving, and always with a bit of teasing and lots of laughter.

She met Allen Buckles and they welcomed their son, Nicholas, in March 1988. A couple of years later, her son Noah was born and sadly passed away from SIDS in November 1990. She was a no-nonsense, loving mother, but she still liked to spoil the babies of the family, nephew Benoni and niece Jessa come to mind. Her nieces and nephews all had their own special relationship with her and with their own little rituals and big hugs no matter how old they were. Pam had a goofy, fun-loving demeanor, and she would sometimes dance a little jig when interacting with the children in her life.

She was a happy woman when she became a grandmother to the loves of her life-Noah, Harlow, Arrow and Hayden. She was proud of her son’s ability to be a loving, responsible parent. Aunty/Grandma Pam will be sorely missed by the children, young and old, not only in our large family, but the ones she cared for throughout the years.

Pam enjoyed many pastimes, like bingo, playing machines, and for a time all the women gathered daily to work on jigsaw puzzles and visit. Pam was an avid, and at times loud fan of her son and nephews, nieces and grandchildren; attending many basketball, football games and track meets. During family dinners, which were many, she was the designated frybread maker, and that will be one many future reminders of the missing piece she leaves in all our lives. She was proud of herself when she finished her one and only beautiful star quilt for her angel baby Nicholas. Yet, she was a quick stitcher and quilted many a star quilt over the years.

Our milk cheeks, huggable, loveable “little” sister, your siblings are going to miss you. Our loud, loyal, nosey aunty, and sweet loving grandma, all of your kids will always love and miss you. Pam, your much-loved son, Nicholas, now has only memories to treasure you by, his much-loved Mommy. He will miss you most of all. May you rest in the arms of our Lord and Savior being lovingly surrounded by Mom, Dad, Paula and in your joyous reunion with baby Noah.

Pam was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Frances and Florence Lamere, of Wisconsin and paternal grandparents, Alpheus Sr. and Josephine Bighorn, of Brockton, Montana; her father and mother, Maurice Sr. and Francile Bighorn, her sister, Paula Bighorn, cousins Lana Lonetree, Diane Lamere, Dorreen Brown, Spike Bighorn, and her beloved baby son, Noah Vaughn Frances Bighorn.

She is survived by her son, Nicholas David Bighorn and his children, her precious and cherished grandchildren, Noah Michael Dean, Harlow Austyn Rose, Arrow Rae, and Hayden Coe all of Poplar; her siblings, Joleen Emerson (Roy Sr.) of Brockton, Maureen Bighorn of Wisconsin, Barry Bighorn Sr. (Estelle) of Fort Kipp, Janice Bighorn of Wisconsin, Maurice Bighorn Jr. (Nicolle) and James Burshia all of Brockton; her beloved nieces and nephews: Callan, Roy Jr. (Nicole), Tyler (Hannah), Kellie, Ethan, Josy, Colette, Leda, Sekoya, Vania, Barry Jr., Tawnya, Benoni, Alicia, Justin Jr., Isaiah, Maurice III, Jessa, Landyn; her treasured grandchildren: Kale, Kenyon, Miley, Clint, Collin, Franiah, Axel, Kenna, Lincoln, Josiah, Jalissa, Jacoby, Canyon, Saige, Ezra, Roman and Saxon. She is survived by her Uncle Alpheus Bighorn Jr., Aunts Alva Bighorn and Family, Alice Melbourne (Gary) all of Brockton; Aunts Connie Lonetree, Lenore Sweet, Joann Lamere and Uncle Larry Lamere of Wisconsin. She is also survived by her cousins and their families: Carolyn Brugh (Greg), Stephanie Birdwell, Stephanie Vandall (Craig), Liz “Jill” Melbourne, Montana Headdress (Wes), Becky Jo Melbourne, Antoinette Melbourne (Kory), Angela Lowe (Aaron), Christopher Sweet (Chrissy), Laura Lamere, Darryl Lonetree, Marc Lamere, Broc Lamere, Coty Lamere, Simone Brown, Fredricka Miner and special cousin, Jana Nygard. She is survived by the large extended families of the Bighorns, Lameres, Littlejohns, Crow Belts, Juneaus, Archdales, Heavy Runners, Brughs, Nygards and Lamberts.

Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the guestbook below.