Pamela Jean Torborg

Pamela Jean Robinson Torborg died Sunday evening, February 15, 2026, three months before her 83rd birthday and four months before her 50th wedding anniversary with Steven G. Torborg.

Pam was born to Jeanette Louise and John Paul Robinson in Marshalltown, Iowa, on May 15, 1943. She grew up in Richland, Washington State, eventually moving to Hawaii, starting a lifelong passion for travel. She was a proud Husky, having transferred from the University of Hawaii to the University of Washington, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French.

She went on to teach French for the US Department of Defense in Goose Bay, Labrador, and then on to Baumholder, Germany, where she met the love of her life, Steve. Together they moved back to the states, traveled, laughed, enjoyed great food, and raised their child, Kate Ellen Torborg Vermilyea, in Armonk, NY, later moving to Beaufort County, SC.

Pam loved to teach, substitute-teaching for many years in New York school districts, and eventually retired as a tutor in French and other subjects. Her passion was reading, a love she passed on to her child and grandchildren.

Pam’s other loves included daffodils, lavender, travel, especially Paris and the Grand Tetons, classical music, cooking, cheese - the sharper the cheddar, the better - dogs and cats, lighthouses, and most especially reading - anything that her friends and librarians recommended. She adored her son-in-law, Jody, and grandchildren Zoe, Rosie, and Jonah.

She was predeceased by her parents, Paul and Jeanette, her dear brother John “Keoni,” her parents-in-law, Jack and Doris, and her brother-in-law, John. In addition to her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren, Pam is survived by her sister, Debra Svardal, brother, Michael Robinson (Judith Bakkensen), sister-in-law, Rose Torborg, several nieces and nephews, and a few special friends.

Pam was smart, snarky, and would want you to know that you should never let anyone treat you badly.

The family is grateful to Life Care of Hilton Head, SC, for the care Pam received over the past two years, especially the few who always went above and beyond. The BookMobile South crew didn’t think twice when we requested a stop at Life Care, and made her day with a new stack of books specially curated for her at each visit.

Since Pam would rather we all gather to read our books quietly together, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Public Library Foundation of Beaufort County, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902. Donors can list in the memo of their checks that the gift is in memory of Pam Torborg, for BookMobile South.