Funeral Details

Pamela Sue Worth

September 4, 1962 - August 21, 2026

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Monday, August 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Memorial Service

Worth Residence
846 Forest Avenue
Deerfield, Illinois 60015
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Family requests those attending do not wear black, but rather casual and colorful attire.

*If parking on Forest Avenue, only park on the West side of the street*

Clergy

Rabbi Adam Wright
Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim

Interment - Private

Shiva

Worth Residence
846 Forest Ave Ur
Deerfield, Illinois 60015
Get Directions
Shiva is CANCELLED due to illness

Memorial Contributions

Worth the Trek Team page through the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). walk.themmrf.org/teams/5172.




OBITUARY

Pamela Sue (Brownstein) Worth מירה דינה בס אוולין passed away peacefully in the presence of her loving family on August 21, 2026. Pam was beloved by so many for her zest for life, her inner and outer beauty, and her unfiltered honesty. She was an avid outdoor enthusiast. If you couldn’t find Pam, she was probably on a trail somewhere, by foot, cross-country ski, bike or rollerblade, or treading water in her sister's pond.

Pami was born September 4, 1962, in Skokie, where she grew up with her parents and four siblings always playing and running around outside.

She met the love of her life, Ron, at the University of Illinois Champaign. Their love was sparked by the Sammy’s fire in 1982; they married in 1986, and over the next 40 years their love blossomed as they raised four beautiful children, Samuel, Karly, Talia, and Rebecca.

Pam and Ron started their family in Menlo Park, California, where Pam founded Tiny Treks, an outdoor preschool that is still thriving today in its 30th year. An entrepreneur extraordinaire, a beloved teacher, and a true pioneer in outdoor education, Teacher Pam impacted countless children and families. She had an incredible way of helping kids and their parents experience the outdoors, get messy, explore, and learn through nature.

The family later moved to Deerfield. The Worth home was famously an open house with a revolving door of love, where friends turned family and strangers turned friends. Their home was a place where people gathered, stayed, shared freezer soup, laughed, and always felt welcome.

Since the day she was diagnosed with cancer, she woke up every Monday before the crack of dawn to see the sunrise over a beautiful spot, always embracing the wonder of life. She celebrated 255 sunrise Mondays with a smile and a silly made-up song.

Pam will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ron; her children, Samuel, Karly (Lucas), Talia (Jonah), and Rebecca; her siblings, Cathy (Mitch) and Steven; her mother-in-law, Carole; and her brother-in-law, Jeff (Michele). She was preceded in death by her parents, Evelyn and Seymour, and her siblings, Lori and Michael.

Pam’s memory teaches us that every sunrise is a new opportunity to experience the magic all around us.

Pam’s life will be celebrated in her backyard, 846 Forest Ave, Deerfield, IL, on Monday, August 24, at 1:00 p.m.
In true Pam fashion, she requested that loved ones do not wear black to her service. Colorful, casual dress is encouraged for all memorial events.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Worth the Trek Team page through the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). walk.themmrf.org/teams/5172.

To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.

This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home or family's permission.


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Pamela Sue Worth below and we will share them with the family.
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Sweet Pam,
In our hearts you have symbolized hope, transformation and the enduring cycle of life. Like the Monarchs that you loved, your positivity, courage and strength brought a remarkable power to this earth, and the community you have nurtured. May you find peace in your flight, and know that we have cherished and enjoyed having you in our life (and pool). Soar--knowing your beauty and goodness live on.

.Joanne and Jeff B..

Joanne and Jeff Burgess
August 22, 2026
Our hearts are broken. Especially for you, her family, but also for all of us whose lives she touched. I met Pam on the playground in Menlo Park circa 1993. And since have shared so many life experiences. Our friendship was forged by being like-minded in how we wanted to raise our families and what qualities and values, and experiences we wanted to instill in our children. Over the years even after both moving to different parts of the country/ we remained close and shared in each others lives. I love the description of the Worth home in the obituary because it really always was such a welcoming place- as you came through the mudroom into the kitchen, there were always piles of snow boots and mittens and hats, jackets and backpacks and sporting gear, and all the trailings of her own 4 children and those who came in with them! One of my fondest memories of Pam, was a unplanned 6 hour walk from her house to Lake Michigan shore, all through Highland Park meandering through neighborhoods and back to meet the family for hot dogs at their favorite hot dog place. We talked the entire time and solved all the worlds problems including our own! In 2017after battling my own illness, that left me paralyzed , I went to Chicago to the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab and Pam faithfully visited me every week. It was such a sweet gift and she’d push me in a wheelchair around that area-over to the lake, an outdoor concert, or to lunch. She made me laugh and it aided in my rehabilitation to have an old friend visit and encourage me. We also shared the fact that we had strong marriages to really great guys and we celebrated and encouraged each other in our marriages. And enjoyed time together as couples over the years. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you who knew and loved Pam! And, as another friend I spoke with today reminded me- her spirit will live on - as we will see it in Ron, Sam, Karly, Talia & Rebecca and in our collective memories of the example of FUN and INTENTIONALITY by which she lived!!!

Courtenay Decker
August 22, 2026
Ron and family,
I am saddened to learn of Pam's passing. As my first cousin, she was part of my youth and family gatherings. Despite being challenged with a terrible illness, she forged ahead. I hope your memories sustain you and bring you comfort. May her memory be for a blessing.

Carole Hoffman
August 22, 2026
Ron, Sam, Karly, Talia, Rebecca.

Im so incredibly sad for your loss.
To see someone you love be taken away in such a cruel way is awful and unfathomable.

Pam was truly like a 2nd mum to me for a significant part of my life.
To accept me into your family and home multiple times over the past 20 years truly helped bond the relationship I have with Sam who truly feels like another brother xo

I will always remember Pams zest for the outdoors and being healthy.
Ill remember the times she dragged me to the gym with her to do a Spin Class or Swim laps.

I remember Pam introducing me too so many new foods especially Kale haha.

I remember going cross country skiing with her and hiking many trails around Deerfield.

To this day I still laugh at the memory of the time whilst I was in Deerfield and we lost the neighbours dog. Her and I printed posters and wandered the streets in the cold snow searching for the dog and door knocking the neighbours.

Ill never forget meeting you all in New Zealand a few years ago as well xo

Losing a parent is incredibly hard, but you are lucky you have siblings to support you and share the grief.

Ron my heart breaks for you. What an incredible woman you found. To have created such a beautiful life and 4 incredible children with Pam, I know you have a lifetime of memories. You've been incredibly strong to stand by Pams side the last few years. She was incredibly lucky to have you.

All of the family and friends who I've met over the years were also incredibly lucky to have such a caring and loving friend in their lives.

And to know how many kids she helped guide and encourage at such a young age is truly special. To see her passion for Tiny Treks in person was such a wonderful gift she gave the world.

As difficult as the following days, weeks, years will be, you are lucky to have each other, and lucky to have such incredible memories of your mother/wife. I know you will be surrounded by family and friends who loved Pam as much as you all did.

If any of you ever need someone to talk too, please never hesitate to reach out.
I hope I can give you all a massive hug one day soon xo

I love you all, and know that Pam was so incredibly proud of all of you.

Sending you all my love and condolenses from afar.
James xoxo

James Atkinson
August 24, 2026
what an amazing fighter!! she'll always be with you always be watching always be loving you all.

Lynn Hoffenberg Callahan
August 24, 2026
Hi Cathy. I was orry to learn of the passing of Pami. Although I didn't have the pleasure of meeting her, she clearly was an exceptional person. Marc

Marc Posner
August 24, 2026
My heartfelt condolences to Ron and family, Steve, Kathy (Mitch) and family, and to all of Pam’s relatives and friends.

Looking back, I am thankful to Pammy and Kathy, for allowing me to help them in the care of their older sister, Lori, who was my dear friend. It was an honor for me to do it. I thought we bonded well together as sisters helping each other in taking care of a sick loved one.

Pammy you were a very warm, sweet and loving person. Beautiful inside and out. So kind and thoughtful, generous and humble. Your life was such a blessing to countless people. I surely miss you. Rest now in peace in God’s eternal presence.

Esther Corsino
August 25, 2026
Pam,
I’m writing this a few days after your funeral. What a true reflection it was of all of the beauty that was you. The sun and picture perfect weather provided a beautiful canopy for all of the love and memories that filled your backyard. From the music to the brightly colored clothing you requested, your presence was deeply felt. As I stood under the majestic tree in the center of your backyard, listening to the heart felt memories being shared by Ron, Karly, Talia, Rebecca, Sam, Cathy and your dear friends, I was reminded of the astoundingly rich life you created, and how lucky I was to have been a part of it.
Our friendship spanned 20 years, stemming from the Walden variety show 50s dance that we organized for Grace, Rebecca and any other Walden kindergarten girls that wanted to participate. Over the years, walks anywhere and everywhere what part of most of our time together. I loved having my family be a part of your Girls’ Adventure Club and your family be part of K.I.D.D.O.S. I always admired how you parented and showed up in this world. Valuing community and human connection was a value we fiercely shared, and you were a connector like no other. I promise to live my life honoring this legacy… Your legacy,
Thank you, dear friend., for your many years of friendship, guidance and love. We missed out on our final porch visit together, but know that my heart will feel your presence every time I sit on my porch or go for a walk in the sunshine. You are so loved, and I will deeply miss you.
With Love and Gratitude,
Sue

Sue Vani
August 27, 2026