AUBURN, N.H. – Samantha C. Smith, 8, of Auburn, N.H., died July 3, 2004, from injuries sustained in a boating accident in Meredith, N.H. Samantha entered this world on Aug. 21, 1995, in Portland. When named “Samantha” the hospital staff told her parents, Dan and Kim, “she will have big shoes to fill with a name like that!” and indeed she did, bringing love and joy to all who she touched. Her big blue eyes and fairy blonde hair warmed every heart who knew her. She was the big sister “sissy” to her brother, Blake, whom she loved dearly. Samantha was proud of her heritage being half Jamaican and loved her annual visits to the island, to play in the salty sea and sand, and visit with her large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and dear friends. She was a fan of the reggae music and looked forward to her visits with great excitement and delight. She was an avid sports fan – she played baseball and soccer, as well as hockey, where she strived to hone her skills so that she might follow in her father’s footsteps. She could always be counted on to be part of any neighborhood sporting activity and was known as the “village voice” of Cambridge Drive. Samantha also loved fishing and hunting and was acknowledged to be the “good luck charm” as she always brought great success to any outing. Samantha also loved to do arts and crafts, learning to sew from her mom. She had a creative spirit, her favorite color was purple; an avid reader, a persuasive negotiator when seeking to have another see her perspective; an enthusiastic student who ran to the bus each morning and sought to do well in all subjects she studied. Samantha will be remembered for the special relationship she had with all, especially her many relatives – grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and the love, joy and happiness she gave us during her time here with us. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten in our hearts. Dan, Kim and Blake will forever treasure the memories of their little “Pooh Bear”. Calling hours will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the McHugh Funeral Home, 438 Beech St., corner of Hanover St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday at St. Peter’s Church, Auburn, N.H. Burial will follow in the family lot in Auburn Village Cemetery, Auburn, N.H. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Samantha Catherine Smith Fund, care of Banknorth, Mass., P.O. Box 1179, Derry, N.H. 03038.
SAMANTHA C. SMITH
