Pamela Katsounakis Reed of Belchertown and Londonderry, Vt., died June 22 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 52.

She was born on Jan. 17, 1959, in Springfield, the daughter of Sylvia and Manny Katsounakis.

Pam graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1980 where she met the love of her life and best friend, David Andrew Reed. They were married on July 25, 1981.

Pam and David lived together in Mississippi, Texas, and Missouri, where she gave birth to their children and worked as a preschool teacher and assistant buyer for the Horchow Collection family of catalogues. Later, Pam and David moved back home where she continued to carry out her love for children and helping others as a preschool teacher at Belchertown Community Preschool for many years. In later years, she pursued her passion for cooking by achieving a certificate in culinary arts from Holyoke Community College and later working alongside her team at the family-run business, Frigo’s, in downtown Springfield. There Pam found solace from her illness and was able to work up until days before she died.

Pam and David spent summers together on the Vineyard, joined by their children and both David and Pam’s loving families. In the last few years of her life, Pam and David spent much of their time working together to create and enjoy their new home in Londonderry, Vt., which was cherished by all who shared it with them.

In addition to her beloved husband, David, and two children, Jason and Sarah, whom she adored and who all live in Massachusetts and were with her when she died, she is survived by her father, Manny Katsounakis and his wife, Joan; her mother, Sylvia Katsounakis and her partner Jay Palin; her brother Nick Katsounakis and his family, Pam, Marissa, Nicole, and Gianna; and her two sisters, Lori and Lisa Katsounakis.

Pam was loved by all who knew her and will be sorely missed.

A wake was held on Sunday at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home in Belchertown. A funeral service was held at the funeral home on Monday, with a meal for family and friends following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to the United Way of Western Massachusetts or the American Cancer Society. For more information and to sign a memorial guest book, please visit beersandstory.com