Obituary of Barbara A. Schuck

Barbara A. “Adams” Schuck

Barbara A. Schuck passed peacefully surrounded by family on February 26th, 2025 in Utica, NY at 94 years old. She was born on October 22nd, 1930, in Oneida, NY, to the late Clara and Frank Cornelius. Barbara was preceded in death by her first husband, George Adams, and her brothers John and Paul Cornelius. She is survived by her loving husband, Fred Schuck; three children, David Adams (wife, Barbara J. Adams), Diane Lavigne (husband, John Lavigne) and Robin Brown (husband, Pat Brown); 7 grandchildren, Megan Adams, Rebecca Adams, Bryon Adams, Matthew Lavigne, Michael Lavigne, Zachary Brown, and Rachel Brown; and 3 great grandchildren, Audrey, Christopher and Aurora.

Barbara graduated from St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing in the class of 1951. Throughout her nursing career, she held several significant roles, including serving as the senior nurse on the third floor at St. Elizabeth’s, leading the Physical Therapy Department at the Presbyterian Home during its inception, acting as the Director of Nursing at the Betsy Ross Nursing Home, and eventually becoming a nursing home state inspector. Last year, Barbara generously donated her nursing cape and spoke to future nurses at St. Elizabeth’s College of Nursing.

As an on the go woman, Barbara was a passionate gardener (mostly making demands of her landscaper son Dave) with a love for traveling, antique shopping, and a talent for cooking and canning. She dedicated her time to volunteering at the church as a Sunday school teacher, a choir singer, and assisting with church dinners. Her family held a special place in her heart, particularly her grandkids and great-grandkids, as the Adams family continued to grow.

As the matriarch of her family, Barbara hosted a mandatory Thanksgiving dinner annually with all of her children and their families and was always there for her family and friends as the go-to on call nurse for anyone in need. She was a proper lady who was the talk of the town. In the words of her favorite singer, Frank Sinatra, she lived her life and left the physical world by his song, “I Did It My Way”.

Barb's family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff on the 5th floor at Wynn Hospital for the exceptional care and attention they provided to Barbara and Fred during their stay, treating them as if they were family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11am on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ. She will be buried at Crown Hill Memorial Park. There will be no public calling hours.