Pamela J. "Pam" Roesch

Jan 19, 1952 - Jan 5, 2025

Sandusky

The party is over. The life of the party has gone. Pam Roesch, 72, of Sandusky, left this realm Sunday, January 5, 2025, after a valiant battle with bone cancer. She leaves behind hundreds of close, loving, kind, and supportive friends who will miss her dearly. Without a doubt, Pam was the best friend anyone could ask for-tough as nails when she needed to be and fiercely loyal in a way that changed lives.

Pam was a force. She was here for a good time, not a long time, and she didn't squander even a minute on things that didn't bring her joy. She saved obituaries, preparing me for the day I would write this final chapter of her story. But no words could truly capture her. She was simply too big, too remarkable, too one-of-a-kind to fit into someone else's template.

Pam grew up between Olive Hill, Kentucky, and Mansfield. I know she's elated to be reunited with her father, Art Hoffman, whose love and support shaped her into the woman we all knew and loved. From being the kicker on her high school football team to navigating single motherhood in the 1970s, from becoming a bowling and baseball darts champion to pulling our family out of homelessness by starting her own business, Pam's life was filled with accomplishments. In her 40s, she was still doing backflips on trampolines, and in her 60s, you could find her showing off her splits on a bar floor in Key West. She lived a life of boldness and joy.

Her greatest achievement, however, was being the most amazing friend. Pam had a gift for making everyone feel special. She would stand by you in a way that made you feel like you were the most important person in the world. And woe betide anyone who crossed her. Pam could be meaner than a snake when it came to standing up for the people she loved, and if you were a bully or a bigmouth, she'd make sure you knew it.

Pam loved being fashion-forward but always on a budget, finding the best deals, and looking fabulous in every color of sunglasses. She cherished her travels, often returning to her favorite spots across the country like Marietta, Cudjoe Key, and St. Augustine. And when she wasn't playing cards with her friends at the Athletic Club, VFW, and Twisted 3 in Sandusky or the Moose Lodge in Big Pine Key, Florida, she was being the heart and soul of every gathering.

Pam is survived by her devoted husband, John Roesch, who gave her the love and happiness she truly deserved. She is also survived by her daughter, Tiffany; son, Todd; grandchildren, Taylor and Tate; and her many great-grandchildren. The beautiful, amazing, and incredible friends she leaves behind are far too many to list. It would take up a whole section of the paper! But a few lifelong friends who were there through thick and thin deserve a special mention, Ann, Diann & George, and Shelagh. And of course, there's Ernie, who was like a bonus son to her.

Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Art and Betty Hoffman; stepdad, Ed Osgar; sister, Judie Lewis; niece, Missy Clifton; and dear friends, Melody, Maria, Kevin, Doug, Jane, and Bobby.

From the time I got my first cellphone in 2000, I called my mother every day, sometimes several times a day, until the very end. Who the heck am I going to call now?!

Pam didn't want a funeral. As she always said, "The last you seen me is the last you durn well seen me." A celebration of her life will be at a later date, with details shared to her friends in time.

In lieu of flowers, Pam's family encourages donations to Ohio Pink Ribbon Fund at ohiopinkribbon.org.

Arrangements entrusted to David F Koch Funeral & Cremation Services, Sandusky. Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Pam's family at davidfkoch.com.