Obituary of Gertrude I. Sampson
Gertrude I. Sampson, 90, of Titusville, passed away on April 24, 2022, in the comfort of her home.
Gert was born in Titusville on September 22, 1931 to Fred and Hazel Lane Warner. She married the love of her life and her best friend, Fred Sampson Sr., on December 21, 1946, and was blessed with a 75+ year love story. From this love story, Gert and Fred raised 4 children, and more than 40 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. As the matriarch of the Sampsons, her family was her greatest source of joy. She praised God for providing a long life full of love and laughter surrounded by her family and friends.
As a mainstay at the Shear Shed for many years, Gert helped her sons, John and Fred, as a receptionist. She formerly managed The Rink with her husband and worked at Queen Cutlery and Titusville Hospital. She was also a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Gert was a true creative spirit who loved to write poetry, play the piano, listen to music, crochet, and the beauty of flowers. In her younger years, she enjoyed caring for and riding her horses before shifting gears to riding snowmobiles and four-wheelers with her family at their beloved camp. Her children and grandchildren will forever treasure the memories of weekends at the camp, bottomless Tang and Ovaltine, and endless episodes of Little House on the Prairie and westerns. She was a caregiver to many and described as an angel on earth as she was always quick to lend a hand to anyone in need. She knew how to make everyone she had contact with feel special and ensured every occasion was marked with a handwritten note in a card. Gert also worked for countless hours to ensure that every grandchild, great-grandchild, and great-great-grandchild was blessed with a handmade crocheted blanket. She will forever be remembered for her quick wit, endless support for anyone in need, and pure love.
Gert is survived by her husband Fred Sampson Sr., children: Fred Sampson Jr., John Sampson and wife Shelly, Ronda Riley and husband Steve, and Pat Sampson, companion Carrie Anthony, and former daughter-in-law Cathy Kubiak Sampson, grandchildren: Kris Sampson and wife Lorenna, Todd Sampson and wife April, Uriah Sampson and wife Jacqui, Miranda Ralston and husband Joe, Brook Perkins and husband Jay, Kait Griffin and husband Josh, Casey Feiereisen and husband Erik, Brendan Riley and wife Kayla, and Aaron Riley, great-grandchildren: Kali Sampson, Sam Sampson, Joshua Sampson, Kayli Sampson, Jason Sampson, Graci Sampson, Ben Sampson, Cori Sampson, Elyse Ralston, Hailey Riley, Andrew Riley, Natalie Riley, Andi Feiereisen, Jackson Feiereisen, Gavin Griffin, Marley Griffin, Tyler Perkins, and Emily Perkins, great-great-grandchildren: Jaxson Sampson, Marley Sampson, Aubree Sampson, and Charlotte Stearns, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Gert was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson Andrew Stephen Riley, daughter-in-law Brenda Sampson, sisters Betty (and Pat) Williams, Lane (and Paul) Johnson, Dorothy (and Frank) Woods, Peg Olson-Dibble, and brother-in-law Bud Sampson. She was looking forward to a reunion with her life-long best friends Kay Day, Joanne Bowen, and Clara Jones.
A celebration of life will be planned at which time a memorial service will be conducted. The date and time will be announced at a future date.
Memorial contributions can be made to Erie Shriners Hospital for Children or St. Jude in honor of Gert.
