Pamala Ann Szynal, 76, passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024, surrounded by her family.  She was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania to parents William and Natalie on May 3, 1948.  She went on to receive her bachelor's degree in Distributive Education from Old Dominion University in 1971.  A dedicated and beloved teacher, Pam spent her 33 year career back at her alma mater, Kecoughtan High School. It was during that career that Pam touched the lives of many people.  Her family couldn't go out in public with her, without seeing a former student who would want to chat and get a hug from their favorite teacher.  Pam was very skilled in the kitchen, especially with baking, and it was a guarantee, that if you touched her life in anyway, you would get a treat basket of cookies.  She was truly a special person that could brighten your day with her smile and a shoulder rub  Her family was everything to her and though she was in pain for much of her life it never stopped her from being incredibly graceful, hardworking and caring.

Preceded in death by her parents; her brother-in-law, John Szynal; and her sister-in-law Louise Carney; she leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 53 years, Thomas J. Szynal; daughter, Jana Moyer and husband, Scott; grandson, Trevor Moyer; brother-in-law, Joe Szynal (Jan); sister-in-law, Irene Szynal; numerous nieces and nephews; many dear friends and former students; and her beloved dog and cat, Bayleigh and Sasha.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 7 PM on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Avenue, Hampton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 6 – 7 PM at the funeral home.  The Celebration of Life will be live streamed on the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home Facebook page or you can click here to view.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Interim Hospice for the care and compassion they provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Pam's name to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, 6620 Jackson Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061 ( or click here) or the Animal Aid Society, 80 Butler Farm Road, Hampton, VA 23666 (or click here) .