Pamela Sue Rossman

Pamela Gregory Rossman, age 72, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Georgetown, Texas, following a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born on December 28, 1951, to Cecil Elemuel Gregory and Mary Ella Worthington Gregory in the small town of Bay City, Texas, where she spent her youth.
Pam was a strong student and developed an early interest in music and education, studying piano and participating in both high school choir and band, where she was Drum Major during her senior year. Encouraged by her local Methodist ministers, she chose to attend Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, beginning in the fall of 1969, pursuing her love of music within SU's School of Fine Arts. As an undergraduate, she became a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Delta Omicron Music fraternity and the University Choir.
Pam completed her requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree Piano in 1972 and began her teaching career as a music teacher within the Georgetown ISD. At that time, she taught students at all levels, from elementary, junior high to Georgetown High School. After two years, she began her graduate study at the University of Texas Austin, finishing with a Master of Music Degree in Choral Literature in 1976. At the same time, she took her first church music position as Choir Director at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Austin.
Thanks to support from her undergraduate piano professors, Jane Curtis Lansford and Drusilla Huffmaster, Pam obtained a position at Southwestern as Director of the Piano Preparatory Program in the fall of 1976. Thus began a 40+ year career at the institution, lasting until retirement in May of 2019. During that time period, she held many positions, primarily focused on teaching piano and accompanying, including as accompanist for the University Chorale, in support of her great friend and colleague, Dr. Kenny Sheppard.
Pam met her future husband Mike as a First-year student at Southwestern. Their first date was a "required" date to a fraternity football game, lasting "15 minutes," as Mike had promised. 7 years later, they were married in the University Chapel on July 9, 1977. Their union was blessed with two wonderful children, Mary Anna (1982), and Ross (1985), and a granddaughter, Mirra (2017).
Pam's position as Regular Part-Time Music professor allowed her to maintain a private piano studio throughout her career, allowing her to encourage new generations with her love for music and talents as a teacher. Many of her former students are now leading successful careers as musicians in school and church settings all over the state and beyond.
Mid-career, Pam decided to teach herself to play the organ. With discipline, determination and a deep personal religious faith, she launched a new episode in her life as a church organist. After initially serving the congregation at First Presbyterian Church Georgetown, she followed the retirement of Dr. Ellsworth Peterson at First United Methodist Georgetown in the same position. Likewise, she took Dr. Peterson's position as Chapel Organist at Southwestern and maintained it until her retirement in 2019. Few things meant more to her than playing in Chapel or the various church services in which she participated. She understood the power of the organ's music to engage and uplift, and inspired many who heard her play.
Pam enjoyed reading, traveling and working in her flower gardens. Because of affiliations with other organists and the Chorale, she was afforded many wonderful opportunities to visit and perform in cities such as New York, Paris, and several in Italy and Germany. Family trips abroad and cruises filled her with lasting impressions and great memories.
Pam is survived by her husband Mike; daughter Mary Anna Rashti (Matthew); granddaughter Mirra Rashti; son Robert "Ross" Rossman (special friend Colleen Copeland); sister Debbie Seifert (Kenneth); cousins Beverly Kay DeBoice, Melinda Grayless; Brothers-in-law Bryan Rossman (Susan), Wesley Rossman (Angie); Sisters-in-law Cindy Harper, Kathy Epperson, Pam Rossman and many cherished nieces and nephews among other extended family members.
A memorial service will be held on July 27 at 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, 410 E. University Avenue, Georgetown, TX 78626, https://www.fumcgt.org. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Chapel organ fund of Southwestern University, the Music Fund of First United Methodist Church Georgetown, or to the charity of your choice.