Pamela Ann DelVecchio McGeddy Cohen, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully in her home on May 13th, 2024 in Monmouth Beach, NJ surrounded by her loving family and friends.  

Pam was an avid reader, loved boating, the beach, the ocean, the sun, the mountains... any place warm.  Pam was always so glamorous and had the most beautiful smile that would light up a room.  She went through life with a cup-half-full perspective, lived life to the fullest and always loved the finer things.  Pam enjoyed traveling, dining out and having cocktails with family and friends on the regular.  She listened to a wide range of music and enjoyed a variety of movies, but always had a few comforting favorites like Under the Tuscan Sun and It's Complicated. 

Pam was born in Plainfield, NJ and grew up in Oceanport, NJ with her brother Warren (Del) DelVecchio and her parents Elizabeth (Betty) DelVecchio and Amorino DelVecchio on Pemberton Ave.  While living on Pemberton Ave during her childhood years, Pam always had her brother's back, defending him as only an older sister could.  They often would tell stories about how she always gave her parents "a run for their money".  Her free spirit and independence was evident from the very beginning.  She attended Wolf Hill School, the same as all three of her grandchildren (a proud fact she loved to share) and she was part of the first graduating class of Shore Regional High School in 1964. Pam married Gary J. McGeddy with whom she had her son, Gary J. McGeddy, Jr.  In the early 1970’s after her divorce, she declared she was “moving to where the sun always shines”, and off to Fort Lauderdale, FL Pam and Gary Jr. went.  She lived in sunny Florida for many years where she met and married her second husband, Michael Cohen, with whom she had her daughter, Carly Nicole Cohen Julio. While in FL Pam cherished every moment spent under the sun, lived life unencumbered and did everything her heart desired. 

Pam worked as a bartender for many years, followed by being a bookkeeper at Bahia Mar Marine Store, one of her favorite jobs that she always reflected on positively due to the many friends she made and the fun they had together.  Pam continued to live in FL for several more years until her divorce when she moved to Serbin, TX to live with her brother and sister-in-law, Del and Sandy DelVecchio.  Pam lived in TX for many years raising her daughter, working in the family business (Serbin Store), baking Pam's Pies and spent many years alongside her TX family including Del, Sandy and their children, Dawn, April, Windy and Michael.  In TX is where Pam met the last love of her life, Maurice Stricker.  They spent several years together living, loving, laughing and riding his Harley wherever their free spirits would take them.  In the early 2000's, after the sudden passing of Maurice, Pam and Carly moved to Long Branch, NJ. For over 25 years, Pam worked at Nordstroms in the Freehold Mall in sales and inventory where she made more lifelong friends, until retiring in 2020.

Pam was the most free-spirited woman you'd ever meet.  She always lived life on her own terms and sought acceptance from no one.  She loved and was loved deeply and profoundly by those in her life.  If you ever needed to know how to navigate a difficult situation, all you had to do was ask Pam and she would give you the answer that was best for you; but not always the popular opinion.  Everyone loved Pam for her straight-shooting ways, a quality that made her a very truthful and authentic person.  Pam believed in those she loved.  She inspired so many to be true to themselves - whatever that truth may be.  There was zero judgement with Pamela - so long as you were true to what you wanted.  If you were at a crossroads in life, as many of us have been and talked to Pam, and you weren't quite ready to be true to yourself and make such changes yet, she would often advise and reassure you by stating, "you'll know when you know". 

Over the last 24 years Pam has been an amazing grandmother to Madison Faye McGeddy, Jeremy Stephen Julio Jr. and Owen Amorino Julio.  Pam was very active in her grandchildren’s lives, always wanting to see them shine.  From Madison’s dance recitals to Jeremy and Owen’s many sporting events.  She was always their loudest cheerleader and was incredibly proud of their many accomplishments including numerous graduations and awards.  Pam made sure she instilled not only in her children but in her grandchildren, Pam’s guiding rule: follow your own path, believe in the people you love and support what’s in their heart.  This was the epitome of Pam and those who knew her felt this.  

Pam was always a fan of family dinners; cooking her father's Sunday sauce recipe, baking pies the night before Thanksgiving (our family coined this evening as "Pie Night") or family parties with apps and wine.  Holidays were particularly special as she would hang tinsel strand by strand on the Christmas tree, she was in her element. Pam's Sunday sauce, home-made pie crust and tinsel rituals are just a few of the traditions passed down from her mother and father that she has since passed on to her children and grandchildren. 

Pam was so spectacular in her sense of class and style.  She was always the best dressed in the room from head to toe, likely rocking an Italian leather handbag, a show-stopping jewelry piece and one fabulous pair of heels.  Pam always carried herself with such self-respect and class.  When she entered a room heads would turn not just from her outer beauty but from the warmth she radiated from within.  Pam was loved by everyone she encountered on the regular at her local spots including: "Fran's" Atlantic Beach Grill, Caputo's Bakery, Rooney’s for oysters, Nail Haven and Driftwood Beach Club.  No matter which business Pam would frequent, as she had many other favorites, Pam spared no expense all the way down to how she tipped. Generosity and reciprocity were two of her many wonderful traits. 

Ask anyone for a word to sum up Pamela, it's "Strong".  Pam was a fighter no matter what obstacle she had to overcome.  Her most recent was her 10+ year battle with cancer.  She went down swinging, deciding ultimately to live and leave this life on her own terms.  Pam was not willing to experience life any other way than as the fullest version of Pam.  So when that compromising time came, she took her last, classy bow, in a way only our Pam could. 

Our dear, beautiful Pamela will be missed more than words can convey.  We lost a gem.  May she forever shine through you.

Please join us to celebrate Pam's life on May 16th, 2024 at 10:30AM with a full mass in her honor at Church of the Precious Blood in Monmouth Beach, NJ.  Immediately following is a repast at Drifthouse Restaurant, Driftwood Beach Club in Seabright, NJ.  All are welcome for the repast.  Flowers can be sent to Drifthouse or donations can be made to Fly Away Home Rescue, NJ (www.flyawayhomerescue.com).