Barbara "Bea" A. Szymanski, age 73, of Laceyville, PA passed away early Friday morning, January 16, 2015 at the CMC Inpatient Hospice Unit in Scranton, PA.

Bea was born on May 20, 1941 in Somerville, NJ the daughter of the late Frank Ryker and Eleanor Winfield and Joseph Kupcha. She was the wife of Frank C. Syzmanski of Laceyville, PA.

Bea was a person who enjoyed arts and crafts. She liked to spend her time painting, drawing, playing piano and sewing. She enjoyed collecting scientific specimens such as rocks, butterflies, sea-shells and bird-watching. Bea also liked gardening as well. She enjoyed her family very much and loved to spend time with them.

Bea is survived by her husband Frank C. Syzmanski of Laceyville, PA; children Howard M. Heft and his wife Dawn of Glen Gardner, NJ; Donald C. Heft Jr. of Ohio; Mark A. Heft and his wife Donna of Meshoppen, PA; Elizabeth A. Ward and her husband Randy of Springville, PA; nine grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. Also surviving is her brother Lonnie Ryker of Easton, PA; brother Joseph Kupcha of Dingmans Ferry, PA; sister Annie Getz of Skillman, NJ; sister Ruth Heft of Laceyville, PA; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents Barbara is preceded in death by her great-granddaughter Taryn Ann Detwiler, who passed away on April 7, 2010; brother Frank Ryker; brother John Kupcha; and sister Mary Hill.

Funeral services for Mrs. Szymanski will be held on Wednesday afternoon January 21, 2015 at 3:00 PM from the Sheldon Funeral Home, 459 Main Street, Laceyville, PA. Interment will be held at Musconetcong Valley Cemetery in Hampton, NJ at a later date at the convenience of the family. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 PM until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial contributions to the Family Promise of Warren County at, www.wcfamilypromise.org

Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com