Paula Shanley

Paula (Baumgardner) Shanley, 82, of Olyphant, passed away Wednesday evening, March 18, 2026, at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore.

Our mother was born in Moscow, PA on October 26, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Leroy Baumgardner and Mary Glusauskas Baumgardner, and stepdaughter of the late Walter Spooner. She was a graduate of North Scranton High School and attended Beauty School.

Our mother was independent, beautiful, and vibrant, strong willed and incredibly intelligent with a great sense of humor. She raised the three of us with the love and faithfulness of a mama bear and her spirit will remain alive forever.

To those who knew her well, she was a ferocious reader and she loved everything nature had to offer. When she was still able, she would spend hours outside tending to the garden and plants.

Our mother was a devoted and loving daughter to both her mother and father, giving so many years to their care. First being her dying father’s caretaker as a teenage girl while her mother worked. Later, as her mother fell into Alzheimer’s she took the most amazing care of her. It was a hard road that she walked for years but her love and care for her loved ones never wavered. She also watched her only granddaughter, Chelsea, for her first 5 years and taught her so much.

Since 2023, the biggest joy she received was from her great-grandson, Camden. His voice and smile would light up her heart.

Finally, our mother, Paula, was brave. So, as her children, we want to say that we love you forever and we are filled with admiration and awe. You were the other half of each of us, and we are so grateful we had you. We are so proud of you!

She is survived by her two daughters, Leigh Runco and her husband, Frank, Olyphant; and Tiffany Shanley, Olyphant; one son, Joseph Shanley, Olyphant; one granddaughter, Chelsea Strelecki; two great-grandsons, Camden and Nathan Strelecki; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Marilee Fisher, Dolores McGraw Holzman, and June Cummings; two brothers, Leroy Baumgardner and infant Joseph Baumgardner; and her former husband, Joseph F. Shanley.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Hudak- O’Shea & Gabriel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 115 Garfield Avenue, Olyphant.

To offer an online condolence, please visit the funeral home’s website or Facebook page.