NORTHAMPTON - Patricia (Shepard) Samolewicz, of 793 Ryan Road, passed away Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at Mass General Hospital in Boston.

Born Oct. 1, 1950, in Northampton, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Kathleen (O'Grady) Shepard. She was educated in Northampton schools and was a 1968 graduate of Northampton High School. She later attended Holyoke Community College.

She worked for the Northampton School Department for 20 years, retiring earlier this year as the administrative assistant to the principal at the Northampton High School. She was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church. She served on the board of directors of Dollars for Scholars and was a member of Volunteers in Northampton Schools.

She enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking, the Red Sox and most importantly, spending time with her family and supporting her children's many activities.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Samolewicz; her children, Todd Samolewicz of Westfield, Scott Samolewicz of Boston, Matt Samolewicz of Boston, Amy Tracy and her husband, Eric, of Longmeadow, and Melanie Samolewicz of South Hadley.

She leaves her five brothers, Michael F. Shepard of Tyler, Texas, Kevin J. Shepard of Easthampton, Stephen W. Shepard of Broken Arrow, Okla., Paul E. Shepard of Pittsfield, and Mark R. Shepard of Northampton; her two sisters, Cynthia M. McSheffrey of Enfield, Conn., and Deborah A. Shepard of Greenfield; her grandchildren Lily, Samantha and Jack Tracy, and Isabel Patricia Samolewicz; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son Jack Samolewicz.

Patti's funeral will be Thursday morning at 9 from the Ahearn Funeral Home in Northampton, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Blessed Sacrament Church at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Patricia Samolewicz Memorial Scholarship, c/o the Northampton High School, 380 Elm St., Northampton, MA 01060.