Barbara J. (Woodill) Sambito

Jefferson - Barbara J. Sambito was born on September 11, 1970, in Worcester to the late Roland Woodill and Julie A. Hart. Although she spent the first few years of her life in Worcester, she grew up in West Boylston. She attended West Boylston High School and graduated with the class of 1989. While in high school, Barbara met the love of her life, Thomas A. Sambito.

Barbara went on to continue her education at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, where she majored in Hospitality Management. She graduated in 1993, and despite doing most of her studying in a bar, she graduated with a stellar record and was on the dean's list throughout college.

On June 17, 1995, Barbara married Thomas A. Sambito in Greendale People’s Church in Worcester, surrounded by friends and family. After getting married, Barbara and Tom spent most of their 20s living life to the fullest. Whether it was going to Block Island for a long weekend, hanging out at The Cape, or setting out on a long motorcycle ride, Barbara never shied away from a good time.

In their 30s, Barbara and Tom set out on a motorcycle ride and found a piece of land in Jefferson that she immediately fell in love with. After a lot of saving, sacrificing, and bartering, they built a beautiful house that Barbara, Tom, and their kids, Rachel and Steven, called home together for over 21 years.

Throughout her life, Barbara worked a series of jobs in the hospitality industry before she found a job as an Events Coordinator for SER (Special Events Rentals) in Worcester, Mass, in her late 20s. After choosing to become a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, she returned to SER until they closed. Barbara then went to work at G + L Plumbing + Heating in Boylston as an office administrator. Although she only worked at G + L for a short period of time before becoming sick, she made some amazing new friends there.

Barbara's world was centered around life with her high school sweetheart and her two children, whom she cherished and adored as only a mother could. If the kids weren't in school, there was a good chance you could find her running around with them in the yard, playing with them in the pool, or getting absolutely destroyed in basketball, all with the biggest smile on her face.

Barbara was a health fanatic who always kept active. After a long day at work, Barbara would come home and go right to the gym. She loved kickboxing, P90X, and all other fitness-related activities. She enjoyed running and completed the Falmouth Road Race and other local 5K’s. Her love for the outdoors meant time on the beach, paddleboarding, skiing, and hiking. And it’s well known she enjoyed a Bud Light…preferably cold and in a can with her signature Yeti koozie. More than anything, Barbara loved being surrounded by her friends and family, and it was their laughs and their smiles that made all the little things much better.

In May of 2024, she fell ill unexpectedly and was then diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer known as a glioblastoma. She and her family are forever grateful for the wonderful and professional care extended to Barbara. In particular, words of gratitude to Dr. Alexandra Golby and Dr. Luis Gonzalez-Castro, and all the staff at Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospitals.

Despite everything, Barbara always put others first. No matter what happened or how sick she got, she always lived life in the moment, she didn’t worry about what came next, and she never let anyone put her above themselves. There are truly no words to describe what an amazing woman Barbara was.

Barbara died peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family, on September 18, 2025. She was 55 years old.

In addition to her husband of 30 years, Tom, she leaves their children, Rachel M. Sambito and Steven T. Sambito, all of Jefferson; her sister, Darlene M. Hart of Paxton; nephews Adam McCord and Andrew Quiry; her aunt, Sandra M. Campbel and husband Dan of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; her mother-in-law, Eileen (McManus) Sambito of Plymouth; and her friends; Lori (Jackson) Altongly (Brian) and kids Nicole and Joey of Bolton; Wendy (Givan) Toth (Scott) and kids Maddie and Andrew of Bolton; Doug Jardine (Maryann) and kids Kevin and Denis of Holden; and an army of other amazing friends and family.

Family and friends will honor and remember Barbara’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake on Friday, October 3rd at Wachusett Country Club, 187 Prospect Street, West Boylston from 4 – 7 p.m. Her funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday, October 4th at First Congregational Church, 1180 Main Street, Holden at 1 p.m. The Rev. John Barber will officiate.

Please omit flowers. Expressions of sympathy in her name may be made to: https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?team_id=33674&fr_id=1200&pg=team

Arrangements by James + John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.