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GREENSBORO — Pam Allen, a fixture in education and arts circles known as someone with passion for making sure all children had an opportunity, died Tuesday. She was 68.

Allen served on the school board from 1992 to 2002, a period that included the 1993 countywide merger of school systems.

Dewey Tedder, who served alongside her, said she worked hard to help the merged system rise above narrow parochial concerns, while always keeping a focus on children’s needs.

“She was very child-oriented and very, very focused with what she believed was best for

kids, as opposed to best for bureaucrats,” Tedder said.

A common thread during her years on the board was her focus on helping the underdog, he said.

“I think that Pam, while leading a rather privileged life, really, really wanted to make sure that ... kids who did not have an opportunity were given an opportunity,” Tedder said.

Allen, who graduated from the University of Michigan and worked as a hospital administrator, moved to Greensboro in 1980. She kept up busy, particularly in the arts.

She was a past chairwoman of Greensboro Beautiful and the Music Academy of North Carolina.

She served on the boards of the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, Eastern Music Festival, Communities in Schools and the Carolina Theatre, among others.

Kathy Cates, director of Greensboro Beautiful, first met Allen more than 20 years ago.

“She was passionate about bringing people together, enhancing our community,” she said. “She loved the gardens.”

Cates said she has a favorite quote of Allen’s, which she employed when something wasn’t going according to plan.

“She would say, 'This isn’t a problem. This is an opportunity for creative thinking,’ ” Cates said.

Allen had a friendly, bubbly personality, but she didn’t shy away from making her opinions known.

She was outspoken about issues that were important to her.

“If Pam felt strongly about an issue, she was sort of like a turtle. She wouldn’t turn you loose until it thundered,” Tedder said.

In recent years, Allen had dealt with serious health issues.

Those who knew her said she will be missed.

“It was a pleasure to know Pam,” Tedder said. “She was a very, very dear person.”

Survivors include her husband, Dick, the retired chairman and chief executive officer of the former LADD Furniture.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church at 607 N. Greene St., according to Forbis & Dick Funeral Service.

Staff writer John Newsom contributed to this report.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or jason.hardin@news-record.com