Barbara Dorita Tighe Skorczewski, born in Yonkers NY on September 25, 1946, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, surrounded by her three daughters Dawn, Tess, and Joelle, and Goddaughter Cindy.

After graduating from Notre Dame High school in 1964, she married the charismatic Joe Skorczewski, who purportedly paid her five siblings 25 cents each to disappear so he could kiss her. Joe and Barbara lived in Elmira for 13 years. During that time, Barbara organized ice cream socials, led girl scout troops, made hot dogs and never missed a chance to advocate for the best education for "her girls". She nurtured her daughters' independence but also could be counted upon to secretly follow them as they walked home from school to be sure they were safe.

Once they moved to Baltimore in 1978, Barbara organized progressive dinners and block parties for the neighborhood, most of which involved costumes she hunted down at local thrift stores. When her kids went to college, she started to work as a Manager in Training at Amoco Oil. If you ever paid for gas at the pump with your credit card, she may well have had something to do with it.

When our beloved Graham Cracker died in 1998, our mom moved to Horseheads and became the owner of Wade's Jewelry store in Hanover Square. Some people would prioritize the revenue, but our mother felt the most pride making trophies for local teams and celebrating Holly Days with kids from all over town. She was president of the Merchants Association, volunteer for the Hibernians, fiercely devoted to the Charity Golf Tournament, and a true leader for the town's local small business owners.

Preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Tighe, brother, William Tighe, and sister, Marguerite Merrone, and niece Courtney Tighe Bola. She is survived by her siblings Kathleen Clune, John Tighe and Tim Tighe and their families.

She loved all the great things in life. She loved the Beach Boys and the Beatles. She loved the weeks at 9400 in Ocean City when she sunned all day long with a good book. Those were the only two weeks a year when she would say "lunch is on your own. I'm on vacation." She sang Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral while she made the beds in the morning, she danced the Charleston while doing laundry in the basement and vacuumed to "Hurt so Good". She pretended to hate it when our Dad came in and squeezed her tight, proclaiming "I've got her girls. She was falling, but I got her."

Our mom was there for us when we needed her and sometimes when we didn't and we appreciated both at the end of the day. As her life came to a close, she made two final proclamations: "I am most proud of my girls. They are my legacy," and "I got my life in."

Mom, Barb, Barbie, Babs, Mama Bear, Madre, Little Mama, we will miss you every day. You were our champion for education, our biggest cheerleader, our housekeeping inspector, our antique collector, our wedding planner, the beach patrol, our fashion consultant, and a dessert connoisseur. In your honor, we will continue to make you proud and to emulate the vision you had for us from the beginning of time.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Horseheads Historical Society 312 West Broad Street Horseheads, NY 14845.

Barbara's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday January 8,2026 at 10 AM at St. Patrick's Church Park Place and West Clinton Street in Elmira, NY. Arrangements are entrusted to the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD SREET HORSEHEADS, NY. Words of Condolence and Memories may be shared at www.lynchsfuneralhome.com .