Staff

Meet Hope

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce Hope, a Labradoodle who joined the Singleton Family on July 14, 2017. She is a working Grief Therapy Dog and spends most of her days at the funeral home comforting families of all ages. Therapy dogs have become increasingly useful in treating physical, emotional and mental health issues and interacting with a dog has been proven to lower blood pressure and release endorphins in the body that have a calming effect on people. A gesture as simple as laying their heads on a grieving person’s lap or being there for a crying child to pet can improve the process of dealing with the emotions of grief.

We are sensitive to people with animal allergies and phobias, so Hope does not roam freely and is hypoallergenic. Typically, she may be found in the funeral home lobby greeting visitors and loves everyone she meets. It’s a soothing transference to pet an animal, almost as if a portion of a person’s grief is passed to the pet and lessens the individual’s burden for a period of time.

There is no additional cost to a family for Hope’s presence and she may be requested by a family as the funeral is planned. 

Pamela A. Hovatter

CFSP, President, Licensed Funeral Director

Pamela was born in Baltimore, MD. She graduated from Arundel High School and went on to Catonsville Community College finishing with an Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science. After finishing her Associate Degree, she became a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and a Certified Crematory Operator. Pam came to Singleton Funeral Home as an Apprentice Mortician in 1986, five years later she fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a funeral director. Singleton’s has since been Pam’s home, originally as the Office Comptroller and thereafter Vice President in 2010. Pam always had a dream of becoming a funeral director as a young child.  She never dreamed it would ever become a reality.  Pam takes great pride in assisting people with helping others in their time of need.  She has only been with Singletons during her whole career.  

Since 1991, she has been a member of the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association, where she was President from 2008-2009, and has been a Board Member since 2001. She is also part of the National Funeral Directors Association, since 1991 and the Academy of Professional Service Practice, since 1994.

Pam is a proud sponsor of the Glen Burnie Improvement Association and hosts a stand at the Glen Burnie Carnival every year, also a member of The 100 Club of Maryland. Pam serves on the Revitalization Committee for Glen Burnie and looks forward to being a part of the "Revitalization" of the town.  She is a member of DMORT Region III (Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team) since 2005, where she served 3 months in Baton Rouge, LA for Hurricane Katrina and served 2 weeks in Haiti after the Haiti Earthquake, and is also a Certified Mass Fatalities Response Team Nuclear Biological Chemical Warfare Responder.  Pam is also the Deputy Co-Commander for the Maryland State Funeral Directors Assoc. Disaster Response Team.

In December 2016, Pam became the President and sole owner of Singleton Funeral and Cremation Services. Family is essential to Pam’s life, in her household and at the Funeral Home.

Pam is the proud mother two sons, her oldest son John lost his life due to COVID 19 in 2021, she cherishes the time she has with her youngest son Jason she understands “Life is Short”.  Four grandchildren, 1 great grandson. Pam feels blessed every day. Her family does not stop with blood line, each of the staff members at Singleton’s is a part of her family. Pam has suffered a lot of loss in her own life, her Father and Sister at a her young age of 22, her stepfather at age 30, her eldest son, then her mom followed by her your niece.  Pam knows and can relate first hand to death and the loss.  Her own loss and her calling to serve people in their time of need has made her the Funeral Director she is today.  

Pam is very proud to have and extended family, as mentioned she doesn't stop with blood line.  She is happy to have 1 son, 2 daughters and 2 grand daughters and a wonderful son in law of her soulmates. 

Pam looks forward to continuing the "Singleton" legacy and serving the families of the community as she was called to do and with the great ethics and direction she received from the wonderful men of the Singleton Staff before her.

Pam loves the outdoors, she has chickens, 2 dogs one Hope which is the Funeral Home Comfort dog,  and a 2 cats.  Pam enjoys spending time at her log cabin in West Virginia, which is where her roots come from with her children and grandchildren.  Family is everything to her.

Mark A. Vancura

Assistant Manager, Licensed Funeral Director

Mark was born and raised in Overlea, Maryland, where he attended St. Michael the Archangel School, and is a proud graduate of Calvert Hall College High School.  With a calling to help others, he went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Catonsville Community College in 2002, earning his A.A. Degree in Mortuary Science.  Shortly after graduating, he achieved the highest grade on the National Board Exam in Maryland for 2002-2003, on his way to licensure.

Becoming a Funeral Director has allowed Mark to compassionately guide grieving families through some of their most difficult life moments.  He understands that the death of a loved one can be an overwhelming experience, and with his knowledge and empathy, Mark is able to assist and educate families on all of their options and tailor the services to fit their needs and wishes.  He is supportive of each family throughout the entire process and helps make each service as unique as the individual we are honoring.  He has been serving Singleton families since 2003.

Mark and his family, wife Stephanie, daughters, Natalie and Courtney, and son, Ryan, along with their faithful four-legged companion, Samson, live in Parkville.  Mark and his family love to cheer on the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles, enjoy spending time together at the beach, and watching their favorite cooking shows.

Selena L. Shirk Polasky

Licensed Funeral Director

Selena, the oldest of three, was born and raised in Dundalk. She graduated from Sparrows Point High School in 2001. Selena received her Associate’s Degree in Mortuary Science from Catonsville Community College in 2005. She joined the Singleton team in 2004 after working five years in medical records. Funeral service became a passion for her at a young age after the loss of her grandfather. She takes great pride in serving our families during the most difficult time in their life. Selena currently resides in Essex with her husband and daughter. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling and is an avid Orioles and Ravens fan.

Chelsea Cuthbert

Licensed Funeral Apprentice

Vivian Rivera

Funeral Home Maintenance Attendant

Doug Shirk

Funeral Assistant / Maintenance Attendant

Doug was born and raised in Dundalk Maryland.  He attended and graduated from Sparrows Point High School after which time he attended Community College of Baltimore County.  Doug studied Industrial Maintenance and landed a job with Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows point for 23 years until they closed.  He then worked at Nestle  in Baltimore for 5 years and then to Bitumar in Baltimore for 3 years, before joining the Singleton Family.  Where is is the Skilled Maintenance Man, Funeral Assistant and jack of all trades,  He can do just about anything you give him to do.  He was the developer and builder of the drive up window that was installed for COVID to assist in the closure that families needed in the event they could not have visitation during the pandemic.  

Doug is the proud "Dad" of 3 natural children, 1 son in law and 2 granddaughters.  He has his extended family of 2 sons, 2 daughter in laws, 4 grandchildren a mother in law, 3 dogs, cat, chickens and goats.

However, in his spare time he loves to hunt, tinker with cars, his motorcycle and whatever he may be building in his garage.  But, most of all going to his cabin in West Virginia with his family and making lasting memories.

Christina Tina Carrigan

Administrative Secretary

Yvonne Danel

Receptionist

Lorraine League

Receptionist

Diane Neighoff

Receptionist

Kathy Peck

Receptionist

Cheryl Satterfield

Receptionist

Patricia Smith

Receptionist

Julia Urton

Receptionist

Loretta Willis

Receptionist

Linda Young

Receptionist

John Nangle

Funeral Assistant

Donald Shilow

Funeral Assistant