Our dear Sam passed away at sunset on April 16, 2021. Leave it to Sam to find a way to exit with grace. Despite 21 years with a critical illness, she lived a rich and purposeful life.

Sam had an amazing capacity for love. What her husband, Daniel Shoag, will miss most is her radiant smile and the feeling of warmth that enveloped him every time she looked his way. She took never-ending delight in her 21-year-old son, Zev Shoag. Her greatest wish was to know him as an adult. Miraculously, she lived long enough to do so. He will miss her unwavering support.

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The home of her mother, Roberta Albert, will soon start to overflow with chicken soup now that Sam is no longer here to nourish and to love. Sam’s doctor sisters Lori and Shelley Albert kept their phones on day and night, fearing another call for medical advice but hoping for a good, trademark “Albert sister” chat. She was deeply grateful for the love and support of her in-laws, Leon and Barbara Shoag,

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Sounds of laughter always filled the house when she was on the phone with her hematologist Dr. Reece. They discussed her medical problems, then chatted like birds. Donna’s fierce intellect and motherly presence nurtured Sam deeply. Her family doctor Dr. Lappano offered the support one would have expected from a small-town doctor in the 1950’s. She was ceaselessly amazed by the competence and kindness of the staff at Stratford General Hospital. Her PSW Barb Orchard, became a dear friend and family member these past few years. 

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The Taoist Tai Chi Society offered Sam a place to invest her considerable energy. Her participation nurtured Sam physically and emotionally and they benefited from her teaching and her leadership. Everyone found it charming when she would fall asleep half-way through class.

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Her Jewish faith was important to her. She taught Torah school when she was a teen. Later she helped youth prepare for their bar and bat mitzvahs.

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Sam recently completed a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from UBC. Her humorous and poignant memoir about living the life she had, rather than the life she had hoped for is awaiting publication.

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Sam wove her love into a dazzling fabric of friendships. Nothing gave her more pleasure than connecting with her friends and seeing them connect with one another. She could be found befriending the hot dog vendor in front of PMH and charming the doctors on one of her many visits to ER. Her many friends and relatives will deeply miss Sam’s presence in their lives. 

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While we are deeply saddened by her death, our feeling of gratitude for having basked in her warm smile and loving presence is even stronger.