Pamela Jean Nordberg was born on June 27, 1955 to Robert and Lillian Nordberg. She was the second child of four-Stephen was older and Joanne and Robert, Jr. are younger. Pam had a normal childhood growing up mostly in Randolph, MA. Her mother Lillian stayed home to care for the children while her father worked for the New England Telephone Company. Pam graduated from Randolph High School in 1973.
Pam married Robert Kowalewski on August 10, 1974 and the couple settled in Brockton, MA. Pam was working for the telephone company and Bob had a job in Boston at Stone & Webster. Their first child, Jill, was born in 1975 with Matthew in 1978 and Sarah in 1980. Pam stayed home with the children while Bob pursued his career as a computer programmer and was taking classes at Boston University to get his masters in computers.
In 1979, Pam began working at Carney Hospital in Dorchester. Her sister Joanne, who was becoming a doctor, was working there too. Pam worked in the emergency room and enjoyed her job. She became good friends with her peers and put a personal touch into everything she did. The ER was demanding and difficult at times, but she managed to make it through with a smile and a joke. She somehow was able to keep a light and playful attitude with her and convey this to others.
In 1981, after the birth of their third child, Pam and Bob relocated to Bridgewater, in search of more space to accommodate three kids. Pam enjoyed the house and spent the next years at home with her kids working part time as a waitress and meticulously redecorating the house to fit her style. When Jill and Matt were both in school Pam started driving the school bus in Bridgewater to work, yet still be available to her children. While driving the bus, Pam found some of her best friends in the other women drivers.
In 1993, Pam unexpectedly passed away from AL Amyloidosis. In 1994, Pam’s husband and her friends founded the PJK Scholarship after her passing and held a charity ball to raise the initial funds for the scholarship. Later, the focus of the fund raising efforts changed and the first PJK Scholarship Golf Tournament was held in 2003. Each year the scholarship grows a little more and the benefit to one B-R student increases. Ultimately, the scholarship serves two purposes; to help those close to Pam cope with the loss of someone so special and to give back to the community Pam loved so much.