Pamela Cindy Traver

Pamela Cindy Traver, 52, of Winona, passed away on December 25, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, after a precious Christmas celebration with her family.

Pamela was born in Stanford, California, on January 13, 1973, to parents Richard Ormonde Traver and Cheryl Marie (Wos) Davis. She spent her childhood years in northern California, then Marietta, Georgia, and finally Austin, Texas, where she loved the University of Texas Longhorns.

Pamela moved with her family back to northern California in her pre-teens and graduated from St. Francis High School in Mountain View in 1991. She was inspired by several of the teachers there and loved debate and drama.

Pamela then moved to southern California and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1995. Pursuing her passions in political science, history, and law, she graduated from Whittier Law School, Costa Mesa, with a Juris Doctorate in 2001.

Pamela returned to northern California and applied her knowledge of the law to estate probate and trust administration at the Jackson & Efting Law Firm in Sunnyvale. She enjoyed the challenge of using the law to help those whose loved ones had passed on.

Pamela is survived by her parents; a sister, Cristi Lynn Traver Mueller (Chris) of Winona; brothers, David Austin Russell, Timothy Francis George Russell, and Patrick Robert Davis, all of Winona; a niece, Cassandra Lynd Valentine Traver of Spokane, WA; a nephew, Preston John Russell of Winona; and many other relatives and friends.

Those who loved her were privileged to see a less formal side of Pamela. The gal who, after several visits to Winona, found she loved being near family—and going fishing and kayaking on the Mississippi River; so she made Winona her home! Pamela’s greatest passion was her two rag doll kitties, Kahlua and Nestle; thinking of them as “her children”, Pamela doted on them—and they on her!

Pamela will forever be remembered for her intense passions and beliefs, her quirky and quick wit, her secret smiles and rare open-mouth laughs, as well as her perfected ability to catch her siblings off guard. This was the girl who snuck out of bedroom windows as a teen, snuck wine to her friends as an adult. She always talked about having a pet squirrel; and laughed over her shoulder from a tipping kayak; and proudly displayed that tiny sunfish she’d landed. The one who chewed you out one minute and hugged you tight the next. She loved quiet evenings at home, with her beloved cats, watching movies many hours at a time—with the news channel her soothing background “music”.

A very private and spiritual person, Pamela’s final wishes were to be cremated; with a private family ceremony.

Pamela, dear daughter, sister, and friend—you will be greatly missed!

Friends are welcome to share memories and condolences on her tribute page at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

In honor of Pamela, and in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local animal shelter, or to the American Cancer Society.