Obituary of Marie Leola Samson

Marie Leola Samson, Arichat We are saddened to announce the death of our Mother, Mémé and Grand Mémé, Leola Samson, who passed away peacefully on February 13, 2024, at the Strait Richmond Hospital in Evanston with her loving family by her side. Mom was born at home in Petit de Grat, on April 1, 1932. She was the daughter of Evangeline (née) Martel and Clifford Marchand and was the youngest child and the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was adored and predeceased by her loving husband Wilfred, whom she was married to for 45 years, and who passed in 1996. When Mom was just a young child, her father, Clifford, happened to see a boy fall through the ice while crossing Petit de Grat harbour. Thankfully, he was able to rescue the boy, who would eventually marry his daughter, Leola, and become our dad. Being married to an Air Force serviceman, Mom lived in Summerside, PEI, Chatham, NB, and Greenwood, NS. Following his retirement in 1970, they were both so happy to return to Isle Madame and continue raising their family here. Our mother was a salt-of-the-earth woman, amazingly determined, quick-witted, and with a great sense of humour. At the age of 74, Mom was excited to be independent, and left the homestead, moving to her “cabane” where she lived alone until the age of 90. No matter how many people visited her little cabane there was always room for one more. She loved the simple things in life and always listened more than she spoke. She was very unpretentious, treating every soul she encountered with kindness. A true “Foote”, she was a “party girl” who loved to dance, especially to Elvis Presley songs. She loved to play cards, was often undefeated, and always had a twinkle in her eye when she laid down the winning hand. She was fiercely protective of her family and instilled her values of kindness, generosity, and boundless love in us all. Every card she wrote, every hug she gave, and every phone call she made to any of us always included her favourite words of endearment “I Love You Very Much”. Everyone, young and old, who visited her home was so welcomed. Nothing made her happier than watching someone enjoy a home-cooked meal. She loved to feed everyone. When we were teenagers, she would make a big pot of soup and have her homemade bread ready for us and our friends every Saturday night after the dance. Her love language was food. It was such a warm and happy home that we are so thankful to have had. We feel so blessed that Mom stayed young at heart and sharp as a tack up to her 92nd year and we will miss her more than we could ever say. From all of us, from the bottom of our hearts Mom, “We Love You Very Much”. “We inherit from our ancestors gifts so often taken for granted…Each of us is contained within….this inheritance of soul. We are links between the ages, containing past and present expectations, sacred memories, and future promise.” ~ Edward Sellner Mom is survived by her eight children: Blain (Michelle), Bernice (Vern), Cecile (Frederick), Louise (Blair), Gerard, Therese (Valma), Elise (David), and Yvonne (Gilles), twenty-five grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, four sisters-in-law (Isabelle, Mary Louise, Madeline, and Lucille), special friend Bill Allen, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. As per Mom’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private burial will be held at a later date. The family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Dr. Steven DeRoche, whom she loved so much (and who, according to Mom, saved her life countless times), the nurses, Palliative Care Team, and staff of the Strait Richmond Hospital, and her dedicated caretakers Fallon, (Tootsie) and Kelsey, (Kaleb). Special thanks to Ashley of C.H Boudreau’s Funeral Home for her extraordinary care of Mom. Tributes, words of comfort, and memories of Leola may be shared with the family at www.chboudreau.com Funeral arrangements are entrusted to C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home in Arichat.