Christine J. Sampson

NEW BEDFORD - Christine (Jardin) Sampson, 64, of New Bedford died Sunday, March 30, 2008 at the home of her daughter. Since her diagnosis of cancer two years ago, Chris led her life with resilience, style and grace. She died with her family by her side, without pain and in peace. She was the loving wife of the deceased Cecil (Sam) Sampson and daughter of the late John Jardin and Mary (Fernandes) Jardin of South Dartmouth.

She was born in New Bedford and was a lifelong resident of the area. She graduated from Dartmouth High School, class of ‘61. After raising her family she proudly received her B.S. from U Mass Dartmouth, class of ‘94. She was a long time valued employee of Cornell Dubilier Electronics where she held several positions.

Chris led her life with passion and enthusiasm and met every day with an energy and spirit that was the envy of others. She was an avid hiker who climbed Mt. Washington several times and took great joy experiencing the wonders of nature. She shared her love of skiing with her children and grandchildren and had taken up snowshoeing prior to her illness.

Chris was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend and she shared her vibrancy and love of life with her family and friends. She was the founding member of the “20 Cousins Club”, a group of cousins that met for a monthly dinner to celebrate their Portuguese heritage and the importance of family ties. Her recent family trip to Madeira was a significant and treasured experience. Chris’ greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She taught them to ski, attended their sporting events and dance recitals and was not only a devoted grandmother but an exceptional role model as well. She was an active member of the community. In the late 1970’s she was secretary of the New Bedford Symphony and prior to her illness was the secretary of the local chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Survivors include her daughter, Anne Louro and her husband, Jeffrey of New Bedford; two sons, Robert Sampson and his wife, Doreen of Fall River and Stephen Sampson of New Bedford; a sister, Margaret Klingmeyer and her husband Fred of Wellesley, and a brother, John Jardin and his wife Sherri of Florida. Six grandchildren; Devin Sampson, Shawn Sampson, Nicole Sampson, Amanda Sampson, Jeannine Louro and Jeremy Louro; and several nieces and nephews that she loved like her own children.

Funeral Mass and celebration of her life will be on Thursday, April 3, 2008, at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 5-8 P.M. Burial will be in Rural Cemetery in New Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1909, Framingham, MA 01701-0109.