Remembering Pam and Stephanie

On February 3, 2023, my beautiful sister Pamela Mary Borkowski, and her daughter, my dear niece, Stephanie Jeanne Borkowski, were taken away from us in a car accident in Boone, Iowa.

For over 30 years, Pam was a special education teacher for San Diego Unified School District and then Boone Community School District. In Boone, she was a favorite high school teacher, who was fiercely passionate about her job and her students. Any parent who knew her counted themselves blessed to have such a relentless advocate for their child. Her colleagues knew her as a consummate professional, who worked tirelessly and brought joy to everyone’s lives both inside the classroom and out. She most recently took her years of experience in special education to become an academic strategist for the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency, helping other special education teachers work magic with their students. Her heart belonged to her students. They came first, always.

Pam’s daughter Stephanie was our red-headed sweetheart, the quiet one in the room, and the one who noticed everyone and everything. She was wicked smart with her head always in a book and a stack of books nearby. When you came into her life, she let you into her heart forever. She loved to just sit and be in the same room as you. She loved to laugh with you. She loved to make you laugh. She could be witty and silly at the same time. She was always up for an adventure if she could share it with you. She called for no reason at all except to hear your voice. She showed her love in her small kindnesses and sweet thoughts. She cherished everyone in her family, and they loved her more than she could ever know.

Pam and Stephanie always lived their lives close to each other, seeing or talking with each other every day. They were never apart for long. They are now together forever.

Pam leaves behind her devoted husband and best friend Todd Borkowski, who has loved and cherished her since they married 32 years ago. Stephanie was their oldest child, and the couple had two other children together, Britney and Steven, and three grandchildren Easton, Brantley, and Ella Cate, and another grandbaby who is on the way.

We are all devastated by this sudden and breathtaking loss. The outpouring of love and support from friends has been everything to us. Many of you have asked how you can help Pam’s husband and Stephanie’s father, Todd, and his family, get through this incredibly difficult time. You can help alleviate unexpected costs and expenses by donating any amount. I know my family and the Borkowski family would be forever grateful. Because Pam and Stephanie were animal lovers, any unused portion will be donated to Boone Area Humane Society. Please keep Todd and his two other children, Britney and Steven, and our families in your prayers.

Finally, we want to thank the firefighters, paramedics, and police officers who attended to Pam and Stephanie after the accident. None of us can truly understand what a difficult, painful job you have, but we do know that you took care of them when we could not be there. We are forever grateful. God bless.

Love, Cassie