Pamela Cougras

Pamela DeNiro Cougras of Poland, 41, peacefully passed away after a courageous, five year battle with breast cancer, on Thursday, May 19, at Hospice House, in the company of her beloved and devoted family. She was born on October 10, 1969, in Youngstown, Ohio, a daughter to Theresa DeNiro of Austintown and the late Peter V. DeNiro.

A 1988 graduate of Struthers High School, Pam completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Youngstown State University in 1992. An Account Executive with ADP Automatic Data Processing, she formerly served as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative for Galderma Laboratories and also worked for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Although she had a successful career, her favorite role was that of a Mother --- and a remarkable mother she was --- to her two children Michael Theodore, 9, and Concetta Maria, 7. She laid a wonderful foundation for "Connie" and Michael and gave them a tremendous launch into life, spending an abundance of quality time with them, together with her husband Tony, having supported their early scholastic, artistic and athletic accomplishments. They were her pride and joy and they will now become her legacy.

Pam will be missed as a Youth Basketball Coach at the Central YMCA where she coached her daughter Connie's team. Hundreds of area children had a message for strength and support emblazoned on their Tournament shirts for Pam this past winter, which meant a lot to her. She was a member of St. John Greek Orthodox Church in Boardman.

Along with her precious children and her husband Tony who took such good care of her, she leaves her devoted mother Theresa and Lou Cantelmi who was like a father to her; a dear brother, Joseph, and his wife, Lorrie, of Las Vegas; and a special uncle, Joe DeNiro of Boardman, as well as her loving Mother and Father -in-law, Tony and Doris Cougras of Campbell. Although she never had a sister of her own, she was blessed to have four more sisters-in-law who shared many good times with her and cared for her during her illness: Her Godmother, Maria Cougras Pappas, Cathy Suess, Christine Ciccolelli and Sheila Cougras all of Poland; She leaves three brothers-in-law who love her - Ted Cougras, Jerry Suess, and Jim Ciccolelli, and a host of nieces and nephews for whom she was a tremendous role model : Josh, Caleb, Seth, Kristin, Doris, Elizabeth, Taylor, Jimmy and Anthony.

Pam was preceded in death by her father, Peter DeNiro, her Aunt "Babsy" Barb Barta, and her Aunt Connie Balint, all of whom she loved very much. She also leaves a host of cousins, friends and wonderful neighbors who have rallied around her and her family in their time of need for which she was always so appreciative.

Arrangements will be handled by Higgins Reardon Funeral Home in Poland where friends may pay their respects on Sunday, May 22 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. She will also lie in state on Monday, May 23 to receive friends and family at St. John Greek Orthodox Church, at 11:00 a.m. where funeral services will follow at 11:30. A private burial service and interment will later be held at Riverside Cemetery in Poland. Contributions can be made in her memory to the St. John Greek Orthodox Church Sunday School Program. May her memory be eternal.