Pamela Marie Sugden, 44, of Stratford, daughter of Joseph Hart Sugden of Newtown and the late Margaret Zukowski Sugden, died unexpectedly at Bridgeport Hospital April 27. She was born May 19, 1969, in Bridgeport.

Ms Sugden spent most of her childhood in Newtown, attending Sandy Hook Elementary School and Newtown Middle School before graduating from Newtown High School in 1987. She received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from the University of Vermont in 1991.

She began her 17-year career at Oxford Healthplans as a customer service representative in 1997. Most recently, she was advanced to a senior project manager position for United Healthcare. 

Ms Sugden was also actively involved with volunteer efforts for United Healthcare. In 2012, she helped coordinate the Day of Service project at the Thomas Merton House Soup Kitchen. She also led the coordination of the 2013 Day of Service at the Sterling House Food Pantry in Stratford.

She was, like her mother before her, a lover of animals and a supporter of their welfare. She was especially involved in the cause of cat rescue, volunteering countless hours with the Stratford Cat Project.

Most of all, though, her joy was her family. She was a beautiful and devoted daughter, sister, and aunt, and a constant and cheerful presence at all birthdays, holidays, dance recitals, concerts, and athletic events. An expert cook, she was often head chef at family gatherings, and her annual Christmas cookie bake featured a much-anticipated sleepover with all her nieces and nephews.

In addition to her father, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Jennifer and Matthew Sokolowski of Seminole, Fla., and Amy and Matthew Briand of Monroe; and a brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Mary Elizabeth Sugden of Oxford; and six nieces and nephews survive Ms Sugden. She was the granddaughter of the late Joseph and Marie Sugden of Trumbull and the late Henry and Matilda Zukowski of Stratford.

Friends may call on Thursday, May 1, from 4 to 8 pm, at the Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Friends are invited to attend her funeral services Friday, May 2, at 11:30 am, directly at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull.

Memorial contributions may be made to Stratford Cat Project, PO Box 1261, Stratford CT 06614.

To leave an online condolence visit www.mullinsfh.com.