AUBURN – Barbara A. (Boyea) Szamocki, 77, died Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at home after a long illness.
She leaves her husband of 31 years, Michael Szamocki; a son, Christopher L. Wells of Clearwater, FL; a daughter, Melissa L. Paranto and her husband Tony of Webster; five grandchildren, Devin Wells of San Francisco, Brady Wells and Abbyrae Wells, both of Foxborough, Colby Wells of Dudley, and Logan Paranto of Webster; a brother, Edward Boyea and his wife Shannon and a sister, Debra Boyea, all of Malone, NY; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother Craig Boyea, by two sisters Andrea Maiorana and Francesca Chesborough, by her stepfather Gary Champagne, and by her first husband Richard L. Wells.
She was born on April 3, 1948 in Malone, NY and raised there, a daughter of Walter and Luella (Cooley) Boyea and graduated from Saint Joseph Academy in Malone. She lived in the Webster, Dudley and Oxford area before moving to Auburn 15 years ago.
Mrs. Szamocki first worked as an office clerk at the former Simplatrol Dana Industry in Webster and then was a nurse’s aide at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley for over 10 years.
She enjoyed crafts, painting, drawing, sewing and decorating homes to make them cozy and inviting for her family. She loved to cook for her family. She was very fashion conscience and took great care to look her best. Most importantly she changed her career to take care of her grandchildren. Nothing meant more to her, they were her pride and joy.
All she wanted out of life was to make people happy and feel loved. If Barbie loved you, you knew and felt it. Her husband Michael loved her very much and stood with her through all of her illnesses. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, “her rock”.
Her funeral will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 11, in the First Congregational Church of Dudley, 135 Center Road, Dudley. The family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 10:30 in the church. Another celebration of her life will be held on November 1 at the PAV, 30 Ray Street, Webster, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. Donations in her name may be made to either Feeding America, 161 North Clark Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60601 or to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster.