Avalon Council Member Pamela Albers died unexpectedly Sunday at a hospital in Torrance. She was 62.
“We are absolutely devastated,” said Avalon mayor Anni Marshall, who said upon hearing the news, she ordered the flags over city hall and around the island to be flown at half-mast in Albers honor.
Albers was elected in 2018 and was known to speak her mind on the council. Before being elected, Albers had earlier served as city attorney for Avalon.
Marshall said Albers passing was “such a shock” and that she did not immediately know what caused her death.
Marshall said the city is grieving and has not discussed what options they have to fill the now vacant seat. “We are all devastated and are not focused on anything like that yet,” she said.
Basically, the city will have four options when they do decide to fill the seat, though she did say it was unlikely the city would opt to undergo the cost of a special election.
Her passing was so sudden that no arrangements are known at this time. Though Albers lived for many years on the island, Marshall said her parents live in Colorado. Albers leaves many friends on the island she called home, the mayor said.
Marshall said city officials will announce arrangements as soon as they become known. “It’s a sad day on Catalina,” said Marshall, adding that Albers “loved this island and her service to it will be missed.”
