Pamela Gayle Marshack

Pam was born in Ventura, California on April 14, 1950, to Phyllis and Glenn Gooss. She attended local public schools in Ventura, including Buena High School, where she graduated in 1968 distinguishing herself as the head cheerleader and homecoming queen. She was inducted into the BHS "Hall of Fame" for her contributions to school spirit.
Pam and her first husband, Don Bentley, have two daughters, Cambria and Marisa. While a full-time mother, Pam obtained her bachelor's degree from California State University at Fullerton and a master's degree in sociology from the University of Houston. Almost immediately after earning her master's, Don's job led the family to Wilmington, Delaware.
Pam had a passion for social justice and felt a calling to protect her community. At 36 years old, she was hired to be a Delaware State Trooper, earning the distinction of being the oldest rookie in DSP's history (at that time). Pam earned the rank of Sergeant and served the DSP for nearly 20 years until her retirement in 2005. After her retirement, she was hired by the DSP's Drug Diversion Unit in a civilian capacity where she investigated prescription drug abuse for the next seven years. Being a Delaware State Trooper was one of the greatest prides of Pam's life.
Pam married her second husband, George Marshack, in a castle in Salzburg, Austria in 1992. The wedding trip, which included a honeymoon in Switzerland, whet Pam's appetite for travel. Over the next thirty years, Pam and George traveled to approximately 25 countries and four continents together.
Pam's most memorable and engaging attributes were her quick wit and sense of humor. She could find humor in almost any situation, which diffused many tense and potentially volatile scenes while she was in uniform and delighted her friends, family, and co-workers. Pam never met a smile she didn't like.
Pam's fun-loving personality continued on full display when she became a grandmother. She was incredibly playful and strived to make memories for her ten grandchildren, from planning treasure hunts, to competing in headstand competitions, to playing epic games of hide and seek. "Good news, everyone," she would tell her grandkids as she waltzed through the door, "Grandma is here."
Pam loved to read, loved word games, and every once in a while, a good bloody mary. She and George spent much of their free time over the past two decades at Lake Wallenpaupack in the Pocono mountains.
Pam passed away at home on March 2, 2025, from dementia-related complications. She was holding her husband's hand and surrounded by loved ones. Pam is survived by her doting husband of 32 years George, her daughters Cambria and Marisa (Danny), her grandchildren Hayden, Logan, Jake, Luke, Taylor, and Avery, and her brother Jerry (Cheryl). She is also survived by her stepchildren Adrianne (Peter) and Jared (Katy) and their children Beckett, Cael, Caleb, and Hanna.
Pam lit up a room. To say she will be missed is an understatement. In lieu of flowers, in Pam's honor please consider performing a random act of kindness and/or donating to the Alzheimer's Association. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
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