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Pamela Machemer Obituary
A teacher of math, European history, and English (and later a college guidance counselor) at George School for 45 years, Pam had the extraordinary ability to enable students and colleagues to find and use their individual talents. Many considered her a "heart" of George School, a living personification of simple values and integrity, who always looked for and celebrated the good in others.
Born in Wichita, Kan., and raised mostly in Auburn, Ala., Pam graduated from Westtown School in 1964, and Oberlin College in 1968. She earned an MA in History from the University of Wisconsin, and started teaching at George School in the spring of 1970.
She married Paul Machemer, also a teacher at George School, in 1971. After a two-year honeymoon in Highgate, Jamaica, while Paul fulfilled his alternate service, Pam and Paul returned to George School in 1973. She retired in 2017.
Pam is survived by her husband, Paul; her son, Robert and his wife, Kerry, and their children, Athena and Arthur, of Newtown; and her daughter, Kate and her husband, Karl Kiernan, of Goff's Oak, England.
Services will be announced at a later date.
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Memories and Condolences
for Pamela Machemer
Vilma Smith Reid
March 8, 2021
Please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of Mrs Machemer. She taught me at Marymount high school in Highgate St Mary Jamaica West Indies. I love her dearly and missed her when she left Marymount. May her sweet soul rest in eternal peace and light.
Laura S.D. Greloch
November 1, 2020
Paul : my heart goes out to you and your family! My fond memories of Pam; and of you as a team, have populated my memories of my George School experience and education. What a great life you have shared as part of this tremendous community! We will all miss Pam in so many ways; her warm and caring heart and dedication has influenced so may young minds and colleagues, and her legacy will carry on for many seasons to come!
Continue on and be well!
Laura S.D. Greloch (Graduate of 1982)
Cathy Short
September 17, 2020
Dear Pam, wonderful memories of her long friendship with Sam and Betsy Smith and two of the best Thanksgiving dinners ever. My heart and prayers are with the Machemer family. Cathy Short
Tobi Elkin
September 17, 2020
Pam touched and inspired so many people as a teacher/educator, advisor, and loving community member. It was a privilege to take her European History and Math courses at George School where she made such a difference. I am so grateful to have caught up with her at reunions in recent years. My heart goes out to the Machemer family at this sad time; I am so sorry for your loss.
Ezra Rosser
September 8, 2020
I am sorry that I won't be at the memorial services, but I do want to send a hug to the Machemer family. So sorry for your loss. I have been holding Pam's memory and my thoughts about you all in the light since I heard the news.
Catherine Salam
September 2, 2020
My first roommate for my first year at Westtown. Pam and I learned together what living in community was all about. I enjoyed catching up with her at reunions over the years.
Catherine (Winner) Salam
Alan Lipkowitz
September 1, 2020
Pam was a lovely soul whose smile and familiar wave always made George School a warmer place. She was always so nice and so kind to our mother. For that the Lipkowitz family is eternally grateful.
Jeff, Alan and Nan
Mark Dibner
September 1, 2020
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Jennifer
September 1, 2020
I loved Pam as much math teacher. She was fantastic. She will be missed.
Harold Buck
September 1, 2020
Pam was one of my favorite teachers at George School. I had her for Modern European History as a wide-eyed freshman in 1980–81. She expected a lot from us and we did our best to deliver. She also put up with me doing my best attempt at being a practical joker.
Although I only took one class from her, I remember many great conversations with her over my time at GS and during alumni events. She will be missed, and my thoughts are with her entire family.
Hyungmin Lee
September 1, 2020
Pam was always there for me during my four years of George School. Every collection meeting, she pulled a chair from her office, and we all sat on the L shaped bench in the main building. Pam checked-in with each one of us and gave us a big smile. I still feel like she will still be there. Regardless, she is always in my memory and always stays in my heart.
Joan Turner
August 31, 2020
A wonderful teacher, but more importantly a wonderful person. I always had a special fondness For Pam, My condolences to her family❤
Louisa (Fingerhood) Soto
August 31, 2020
I am so sad to hear of Pam's passing. She was one of my favorite teachers of all time. Her stories about the trials, tribulations, and wars among the European ruling families made the subject come alive for her students. She brought out the very best in us. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to thank her for all of this at her retirement. She will be forever thanked and missed by the many student whose lives she touched and inspired.
Maria Etzrodt Gibbons
August 31, 2020
She was not “a” heart of George School, she was THE heart of George School.
Sara Orr Poskas
August 31, 2020
Pam was my adviser at George School and I babysat her kids. I am an alum from class of ‘86 (who also is now a teacher in her 27th year working in a prep school). I have often thought of Pam and her care and concern for me as her advisee. She had a direct approach, and it came always from the heart. She was invested in her students’ well being. I am so sad to hear this news. And only after reading her obit do I now realize she, like me, went to Oberlin College. I am so sorry to hear of her death and send my condolences to her husband, Paul, her two children and grandchildren.
Amy Lewis Tabor
August 31, 2020
The most loving compassionate teacher. A true jewel of the teaching faculty at George School.
Sallie and John Kingham
August 31, 2020
Such a wonderful woman! We will miss her vibrant intellect and humor and warmth. Our love goes out to her family and friends.
MICHAEL L SHERMAN
August 31, 2020
To Paul and the rest of the Machemer family I want to express my deepest condolences. I can say that while a student at George School I remember Pam always smiling and simply "being there", meaning she was always around and always emitting this positive presence every time we said hello and we chatted. I felt a confidence from her that was just there and I knew she was a person of great character.
-Mike Sherman
Joan Stookey Harring
August 31, 2020
She was a fabulous adviser, mentor and friend for 40 years. She will be greatly missed by MANY!
Ellen J Hill
August 30, 2020
I will miss her forever
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