Pamela Joyce Kuhlmann

Pamela Joyce Kuhlmann, née Pamela Valente, was born on April 25th, 1945, to Pasqualina Guccione and Laurence Valenti in Brooklyn, New York. Laurence worked as a trolley operator, while Pasqualina first plied her trade as a seamstress before becoming a supervisor at an insurance company. With this background, Pamela was destined to be continually on the move in her pursuit of truth while caring for the well-being of others.

Pamela entered the world as World War II was drawing to a close and was raised in a one-bedroom apartment, where she slept on the couch. Despite not having much, Pamela was grateful for the love that her large Italian Catholic family bestowed upon her. In particular, her brother, Lawrence, who affectionately called her “Bumbly,” doted upon her and she adored him in return.

Everyone who knows Pam has inevitably become a recipient of her generosity. For this quality, we have to thank her father. Pamela was fond of recounting her father’s weekly fishing trips and how he shared his catch with their neighbors. We also have to credit her father with instilling a love of food in Pamela as he would make seven pizzas every Friday. A young Pamela would come home to see the dough balls rising, her mouth watering as the aroma filled the room. Meanwhile, Pamela’s mother stayed true to her seamstress roots by ensuring that her children were always well-dressed, and this appreciation for being presentable and proper remained with Pamela throughout her life.

Another defining quality that Pamela possessed was her determination to accomplish her goals. As a true American, Pamela used her freedom to the fullest as she chased adventure after adventure. Her lifelong dream of becoming a dancer was made possible through the extra sewing work her mother took on at night. Although she began dance lessons later than her peers, Pamela’s natural talent for dancing led to several professional dancing opportunities before injuries brought that chapter of her life to a close.

Never one to sit by idly while letting life pass her by, Pamela soon turned her attention to becoming a nurse. She overcame the financial obstacle to studying by striking a deal with Hunter College for Nursing, whereby she agreed to work in New York for 2 years in return for having her tuition covered. It was during this time that she discovered her interest in Psych Nursing, a specialty she would later return to after moving to Utah.

Yet, her curious nature guaranteed that her career trajectory would be unorthodox. Pamela’s spiritual exploration, inspired by a thirst for deeper meaning, led to a stint in an ashram and an investigation of Buddhism. However, she did not find the answers she was looking for in those settings. Her adventurous spirit then took her to Puerto Rico, where she spent a year with a close friend, befriended parakeets, and survived a hurricane.

Upon returning to the mainland, Pamela’s life was transformed in 1976 by an encounter with a Unificationist in Ghirardelli Square. For the next five decades, Pamela wholeheartedly embraced Unificationist teachings and dedicated her life to fulfilling God’s dream for humanity. She took on a motherly role in Mobile Fundraising Teams, and she was recognized nationally for the success of her fundraising efforts across the breadth of the United States, ranging from the tropical climate of Florida to the extreme cold of North Dakota. In 1979, Pam returned to her academic journey at the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS), to obtain a Master’s level credential in Religious Education. This course would have normally taken two years; however, she was nominated to stay at UTS for a third year as a member of the second Divinity Studies cohort. While at UTS, Pam deeply connected with and supported her UTS classmates, which shone through as she served as the Lady Vice President. The friendships and memories she made there remained as some of the warmest and happiest days of her life.

Perhaps due to her proven talents as a skilled communicator, Pamela was nominated to be the leader of the American Freedom Coalition (AFC) in Utah. Reverend Sun Myung Moon, known as the True Father to Unificationists, approved this nomination to kickstart Pamela’s new mission in the realm of issue advocacy. Pamela utilized her unique skillset to cultivate connections with respected elected officials, even becoming friends with Utah’s former senator, Orrin Hatch, as she sought to accomplish God’s will through civic engagement.

Pamela Valente was introduced to Poul Kuhlmann in 1989 by Rev. Moon. Poul Kuhlmann had joined the Unificationist Movement himself in 1978; both he and Pamela trusted in Rev. Moon to choose their future spouse with the intention of establishing a Blessed family centered on God. Pam and Poul were promptly Blessed in eternal marriage on January 12th, 1989, inside the McCol factory in South Korea. The drinks factory foreshadowed the exciting and bubbly future that awaited this couple.

Poul swiftly joined Pamela in Utah to support her with her mission. Following the completion of her mission in AFC in the early 90’s. Pam attended a nursing refresher course and jumped back into her career as a Psych Nurse in the Salt Lake County Jail. She eventually went to work in Outpatient Mental Health until she retired in 2010.

After years of striving to complete their family by having a child, Pam and Poul graciously received Alicia from the Vogenthaler family as their daughter on September 9th, 2000. Pam loved being a Mom more than anything. Pam and Alicia were very close and loved to do many things together, such as shopping, eating, and chatting the night away. Despite having very different tastes, Pam’s bond with her daughter could not have been stronger. Pamela went above and beyond, not only caring for Alicia, but also Alicia’s friends as her own daughters. In 2024, Pam was over the moon to welcome her son-in-law, Aryan, into the family. Soon after, she was delighted to become a grandmother when Kaito was born in October of 2025.

Pam spent her last few years enjoying time with her family, spoiling her grandson, watching Fox News, and putting a smile on everyone’s face with her witty comments and cheeky smile. She passed away on July 2nd, 2026, at home, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She is forever loved, and we know that we will continue to feel her fierce love steeped in sweetness as she remains with us in spirit. She is survived by her Husband (Poul), Daughter (Alicia), Son-in-law (Aryan), and Grandson (Kaito).

Seongwha services will be held at the Salt Lake Family Church (1969 View St E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105) on Wednesday, July 8th: 11:00 AM Viewing, 12:00 PM Service, and 2:00 PM Wonjeon.

Flowers may be sent to the Salt Lake Family Church: 1969 View St E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Donations are greatly appreciated. A check may be written to Alicia Kuhlmann and sent to 1608 Wyngate Park Drive South Jordan, UT 84095