Sam was a special gift to the world. She was born at home on August 2, 1993, too impatient to wait for her parents to make it the hospital. She moved through life full speed ahead from the beginning. Sam loved large and gave with her whole heart. She often shouldered the burdens of others, rarely asking anything in return. She was a problem solver, always looking for ways to make the troubles of her loved ones seem lighter, offering unceasing support and encouragement. Sam loved her family and friends fiercely, as the Leo she was, loving regardless of race, creed, gender, or abilities.
Sam worked to support individuals with developmental disabilities and had a great passion in advocating for the rights, health, and safety of all those whom she served. She began volunteering in classrooms for students with special needs while a student at Valley Forge Senior High in Parma and with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Her first job was as a camp counselor assistant with the County's summer program. She attended Slippery Rock University in PA, earning a BS in Community Programming for Americans with Disabilities. During her college years, she worked summers as a counselor at Camp Paradise, run by SHC/The Arc of Medina County. An internship at The Arc of Crawford County in Meadville, PA led to her first job upon graduation as a Home and Community Habilitation Program Specialist. Sam moved back to Ohio to take the position of Residential/Quality Assurance Manager with New Avenues to Independence on Cleveland's eastside. During the past two years she was employed by Empowering People Inc. where she served as Administrator of two large intermediate care facilities and two small waiver group homes located in Lake and Ashtabula counties. Sam worked tirelessly in her role there while dealing with the pandemic and severe staffing shortages; challenging to say the least. It was not uncommon for her to work 2 nd or 3 rd shifts as a direct support staff while juggling her administrator duties. Even though this was an exhausting schedule, working directly with 'her guys' always reminded Sam of why she entered the field in the first place and reinforced her passion to serve.
Sam treasured her family, each and every one of them. She looked forward to attending the Paczki Ball with the Pavones/Kilcoynes, enjoyed the traditional Easter morning brunch with the Bairds, Fourth of July summer picnics with the Kimmins, Boo at the Zoo with her younger cousins, Thanksgiving with the Biaglows, pierogi making day and the Christmas Eve Wigilia feast with the myriad Schultz/Rapacz relatives, intimate Christmas mornings with her immediate family, and every birthday and other celebrations in between.
Sam enjoyed a variety of music and attending concerts of her favorite artists with her friends. She grooved to the music from the time she was a flower girl in her uncle's wedding; couldn't get her off the dance floor. She was a fan of Broadway musicals and got a kick out of attending drag show brunches. Sam's favorite holiday was Halloween; she loved a good haunted house adventure, going to orchards and pumpkin patches, through corn mazes, a fall campfire, and autumn in the air. Sam was a huge fan of the Harry Potter universe. She owned every book and re-read them non-stop and every movie for which she could quote lines verbatim. She was a Gryffindor who longed to be a Hufflepuff, but the Sorting Hat knew she was an adventurer at heart. She loved to travel to sunny places and 'noodle around' in the water. She enjoyed quick getaways to reconnect with college roommates and her out of town cousins with whom she shared a very special bond. One of her greatest adventures was participating in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic during her college years. That trip was so personally fulfilling that she often remarked that she'd sign up for missionary work full-time if she didn't have college debt to pay off.
Samantha had a true zest for life and an infectious laugh that would shake the rafters. It was so contagious; one could not help but join in. She would be happy to know that her laughter brought others joy. Although her passing was sudden and unexpected, she would want her loved ones to be happy for her; she is now with her two favorite guys—her grandfathers who passed before her. Sam would want each and every one of her family members and friends to take the best possible care of themselves and to thrive. Know that she is showering you with her brilliant light and spiritual energy. Rest in peace Samantha Grace, Child of God.
A Memorial Mass to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Blessed Trinity Church, 14040 Puritas Avenue in Cleveland. Family will greet friends at 10:00 AM with a 12 noon Mass to follow. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Lifebanc.
Arrangements entrusted to The Zabor Funeral Home, Parma.