Pamela Barsness Obituary

Pamela Ann Barsness, 82, of Mount Pleasant, SC, passed away on September 30, 2025. Pam was born on January 24, 1943 in Marquette, MI. Growing up in Loves Park, IL, Pam was the fourth of her seven sisters and brothers. Pam's scholastic nature was rooted in her childhood as an eager and dedicated student. In high school, Pam loved hanging out with her friends riding in her pink convertible DeSoto with distinctive tail fins. On April 6,1963 Pam married the love of her life, Frederick Barsness, after wooing him while he was working at the town's soda fountain shop. Pam and Fred then adventurously lived all over the world via Fred's Navy career. With their two young sons in tow, they lived in Cuba, California, Japan, Arizona, Maryland and Spain. They also traveled extensively to exotic places like Haiti, Thailand, Greece, Morocco and many others. Eventually they returned to the US to settle in Virginia Beach, VA. Amid the busyness of being a Navy officer's wife and raising two children overseas, Pam diligently worked on, and ultimately achieved, an undergraduate degree in education. She persistently took classes one at a time through many Navy relocations. She was an early education teacher for a while. With two active boys, Pam honed her athleticism, regularly playing ball with the boys and attending their various sports events. Although the memory of "very long, boring" T-ball games never left her, she cherished the opportunity to support her boys. Pam was also a dedicated and talented tennis player and instilled the love of the game in her sons. After Pam and family returned to the US, she achieved a Master's degree in Education. She worked for several years as an educator, curriculum developer, and facilitator for several U.S. Navy organizations. During retirement, her intellectual curiosity and drive continued and she achieved a second Master's degree in Linguistics which she used for teaching English as a second language, and lovingly correcting people's grammar. Pam and Fred built their dream home and lived on Chesapeake Bay. Pam so cherished her walks on the beach and swimming in the bay. Her life was further enhanced by her canine loves - Buffy, Toro, Skoshi, and Dani, her adoring companion for many years. Pam then split her time between Cape Cod and Florida until moving full time to the Villages in Florida. In the Villages, she was able to exercise her competitive nature, playing several sports, including tennis, pickleball, and swimming. She also volunteered (including working at the library and teaching English as a Second Language), fostered dogs, played bridge, and traveled. Pam boldly tried new things, including archery and kayaking in the alligator-infested Florida freshwater. When asked about whether she was concerned about the alligators, Pam replied, "they are more afraid of us than we are of them". Even at age 76, she went indoor skydiving and globetrotted again to London, Paris, and Madrid with her son's family. Pam was a voracious reader and was rarely seen without a book in her hands or nearby. She was also an avid card player. Many of the younger generations in her life have fond memories of playing games with her. Pam was most proud of her sons and being a source of support for her family and friends while never asking for anything in return. Pam was a great listener. Her resilient spirit and caring heart shined through her last moments. She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred, her mother Gertrude, her brother Gary, and her niece Shelly. She leaves behind her son Eric and his wife Denise, her son Brendan and his wife Sonya, her grandson Heitor and his partner Kendall, and her granddaughter Talia. She also leaves behind her sisters Sue, Lorna, and Linda, and brothers Don and Mike, as well as her beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Pam will be buried with Fred in Arlington National Cemetery. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Pamela Ann Barsness, please click here to visit our sympathy store. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Pamela Ann Barsness, please click here to visit our sympathy store.