Pamela S. Bryan

A Memorial Visitation for Pamela “Pam” Szara Bryan, age 70, of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 2:30 p.m., at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 415 South Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, Illinois.

Pam passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 12, 2026, following a courageous seven-month battle with multiple medical issues.

She was born on February 14, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois. Her family moved to Evergreen Park when she was in first grade, and it was there that she grew up. Pam earned her undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University and later earned her Master of Business Administration degree from DePaul University.

On May 23, 1987, Pam married the love of her life, Len Bryan. Together, they shared 39 wonderful years of marriage, building a life filled with love, family, friendship, and unforgettable adventures.

Pam enjoyed an impressive professional career at Zurich, where she served as Vice President of Captives from 2009 until her retirement in July 2025. A gifted and determined problem-solver, Pam brought intelligence, energy, and dedication to everything she did.

Pam had a wonderful passion for travel and visited an extraordinary 52 countries around the world. Each journey added to a lifetime rich with experiences, treasured memories, and fascinating stories.

Above all else, Pam loved her family and friends. She made every room glow with her warmth, vibrant personality, and high energy. Pam was the person everyone could turn to when they needed help, encouragement, or a solution to a difficult problem. She was especially known as the family and friends’ “go-to” person for technology questions. If something was not working, everyone knew Pam would find a way to fix it.

Pam is survived by her beloved husband, Len Bryan; her loving mother, Lorraine Szara; her sisters, Lynn Thurman (John) and Bonnie Lapen; and her nieces and nephews, Brian Thurman, Jennifer Thurman Sebestyen, Steven Lapen, David Lapen, and Christina Lapen Terstriep. She is also lovingly remembered by her many great-nieces and great-nephews, extended family members, friends, and colleagues.

She was preceded in death by her father, Romuald “Ray” Szara, who passed away in 2008.

Pam will be remembered for her brilliant mind, generous heart, adventurous spirit, boundless energy, and extraordinary ability to bring light into every room she entered. Her strength, love, and unmistakable presence will be deeply missed and forever cherished by everyone fortunate enough to have known her.