Pamela Ann (Delanoy) Rifenburg

January 10, 1947 - September 16, 2025

Pamela Ann Rifenburg passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, September 16th after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Pamela was born on January 10, 1947, in Tarrytown to the late Lester and Magdalen (Szuperak) Delanoy.

A lifelong Tarrytown-er at heart, she considered her family’s house on the hill overlooking the Hudson River to be home, and even when life took her elsewhere, she always returned.

Pam worked as an employee of Columbia University Press for more than three decades. On any day, you could find her working alongside her daughter in their shared office in Irvington, teaching her granddaughters how to use the industrial three-hole punch and adding machine, or watching from the window as they learned to ride their bikes in the parking lot.

Pam dedicated her life to public service. She was a long-time member of the Washington Engine Co. 2 Ladies Auxiliary and a founding member of the Tarrytown Fire Department Disaster Auxiliary. However, she found her true calling in joining the ranks of the Tarrytown Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TVAC) in 1988. Throughout her 37-year volunteer tenure, she wore many hats: EMT, Treasurer, Captain, Director, and even the all-important position of Picnic Committee Chairperson. As her illness worsened and limited her ability to continue serving, she was awarded the title of TVAC Life Member and named the first ever Director Emeritus. She was proud that her service inspired both her daughter and granddaughter to become EMTs.

Although Alzheimer’s took many things from her, the one quality that she retained until her death was the ability to make a whole room cry tears of laughter, simply from witnessing her do the same. She found joy in watching the birds at her birdfeeder, cheering on her granddaughters in all of their endeavors, holding babies who were always comforted in her arms, and passing the time playing a round of cards with friends and family.

Pamela was affectionately known as Pam, Pammie, and Auntie Pam to some family and friends whom she treated like family, and Mimi to those that she loved best. She is survived by her daughter, Jill Swanson; her granddaughters, Elyssa, Erika, and Hallie; her cousin, Jeff (Joanne) Toth and his family; and her late cousin J. Scott (Jody) Toth’s family. She was predeceased by her cousin and her brother, Peter.  

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 21st from 2-6pm at Coffey Funeral Home, followed by refreshments and reminiscing at the Set Back Inn. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Pam’s memory to Tarrytown Volunteer Ambulance Corps (P.O. Box 132, Tarrytown, NY 10591) www.tarrytownems.org or to a charity that is equally important to you.