Pam Underwood

Pamela May Underwood, known to all as Pam, was a founder member of the Apollo Theatre in Newport on the Isle of Wight and a central figure in the island's amateur dramatics community for more than half a century. She died peacefully in Newport on 31 August 2026 at the age of 95, with her four children around her.

Pam was born in Portsmouth in 1931 and was raised by her mother, a single parent, at a time when there was little social support. As a child she was often left alone in their small flat while her mother worked. During the Second World War she was evacuated from Portsmouth several times. She later recalled that some of her happiest wartime memories were of the period she spent in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, before returning to Portsmouth after the war.

In her late teens she met John, whom she married in 1951. The young couple first lived with Pam's mother and welcomed their first two children, Philip and Lesley. In 1954 John was offered a post with Saunders-Roe on the Isle of Wight, together with a family home, and the family moved to the Island. Their third child, Geoffrey, was born in 1959. Pam became active in the Women's Institute and developed a passion for amateur theatre. In 1963 the family moved to a new home in Newport, and in 1966 she joined the Newport Repertory Society. Their fourth child, Catherine, was born in 1967.

In 1969 Pam and John became founder members of the Apollo Theatre in Newport. With fellow volunteers they helped transform a former Methodist church on Pyle Street into one of the Island's most cherished community theatres. Pam performed in many of the Apollo's early productions and was equally at home behind the scenes, becoming a familiar face in the box office. She was also a dedicated member of the Sandown Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, appearing regularly and forming lifelong friendships. Away from the stage she worked for many years at Plessey Radar as secretary to the Training School department, retiring in 1991, with John retiring soon afterwards. The couple enjoyed travelling, and a trip to China remained a particular highlight.

After John's death in 2014, Pam moved from the family home into sheltered accommodation in Newport. She quickly became a popular and valued resident, joining a wide range of activities and, as late as February 2026, still creating musical playlists and entertainment for fellow residents. News of her death, reported by the Isle of Wight's Island Echo, prompted affection across the island's theatre community. She is survived by her four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her funeral is to be held at the Isle of Wight Crematorium on 9 October 2026 at 3pm.