Obituary of Lydia Ann Smith Binet Sampson

On February 8th, surrounded by her children, Lydia passed away peacefully after a brief illness. A strong and present matriarch, her final journey was eased with loving messages from her sisters, brothers, grandchildren, cousins, and friends. Lydia was truly loved by all who knew her. Born in Arichat, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia on June 6th, 1934 to Mary Cecilia (nee Boudreau) and Morton Shaw Binet, Lydia was married for 60 years to John Andrew Raphael (Ralph) Sampson. She is survived by her 5 children, Sherry Seaboyer (Dale), Lavonne Carroll (Paul), Michael (Monique), Andrea, and Andrew (Sarah); her 12 grandchildren, Kristin, Martin, Jonathan, Steven, Sarah, Vanessa, Matthew, Zachary, Madison, Quincey, Luke and Noah, and 13 great-grandchildren as well as by siblings John (London ON), Edward (Anne) (Dieppe NB), Marilyn LeBlanc (Arichat, NS), and Edith Little (Winnipeg MB). She was predeceased by her parents and husband as well as siblings Stanage Binet, Constance (Connie) Davenport, Shirley Latham, and Joan Blinn. A prolific storyteller, Lydia was known to always have a tale or two to tell at every dinner or gathering and her deep love for her family kept ties strong and love flowing. In this tradition, Lydia's family are choosing to remember her in a way that honours her spirit. A Celebration of Life will be held in Our Lady of Assumption Church in Arichat on June 6th, 2022 at 11 am. Burial to follow in St. John Anglican Cemetery in Arichat. A joint Celebration of Life Reception for both Lydia Sampson and Shirley Latham will be held at the D'Escousse Civic Improvement Centre in D'Escousse from 1:30 pm onward. Food and Beverages will be provided along with a live band and music. All are welcome, there will be an opportunity to share memories, to speak about Lydia and/or Shirley, or just enjoy time together celebrating the lives they lived. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the 3IMCU unit at the Halifax Infirmary who cared for her in her final days as well as to the staff at Northwood Bedford Campus where Lydia lived until her death. There are angels all around us on this earth and in those times of sorrow, they show their wings and carry us through the painful moments. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home Ltd., in Arichat.