WEST CALN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPVI) — A Chester County pastor is remembering 67-year-old Pam Dean as a woman devoted to her faith, community, and love of nature after she was killed by a falling tree while walking in Hibernia Park on Sunday.

Dean, an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, was known for her generosity and service, according to her pastor, Joseph Klinger.

“It’s just going to be a loss. It really is because it was not anything anyone expected,” Klinger said. “It was shocking. The pastor usually gets the call when someone goes to the hospital, and it was her husband who called, and it was hard.”

Chester County Parks and Preservation said Dean was a frequent visitor to Hibernia Park and a member of the Hibernia Hiking Club.

“Both her and her husband they have they go out camping and RVing. They were constantly in nature when they could be,” Klinger said. “I know they helped maintain trails in different places. They were committed to experiencing nature themselves and making sure others could experience the beauty of nature too.”

Dean was reportedly walking with a friend, who called 911 for help, when the tree fell. Parks officials said rangers had been monitoring weather conditions throughout the day, which did not warrant closing the park.

Klinger said the best way to honor Dean’s memory is to continue her spirit of kindness and compassion.

“We can’t always prevent the bad things so we work as hard as we can to bring as much good in the world as we can, and I will say Pam seemed to live her life that way,” he said.

Chester County Parks and Preservation said a thorough investigation is underway to determine all contributing factors, including the condition of the tree.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.