Samantha (Sam) Stern (7 Aug 1967 - 1 Jan 2024)

In loving memory of Samantha (Sam) Stern who sadly passed away on 1st January 2024.

Sam has had tough life, full of challenges that only made her stronger.

In May 2023 out of nowhere, Samantha was faced with the biggest challenge of all. Terminal lung cancer.
She took this in her stride and faced the treatment offered with the bravado and determination that she has shown every day of her life. Samantha carried on working in her gardening business as much as she could and always stayed positive for her future, with a smile on her face.

Unfortunately, in early December, we had the devastating news that the cancer had spread to her brain. Three tumours.

Still being her stubborn determined self, after two weeks of absolute hell in hospital, and numerous threats of leaving Margate hospital in her slippers and walking to Dover to get on with her life, Samantha moved into her forever home with her partner, Cerise. Once again at Sam's insistence to fight this, plans for further treatment and her future were set into motion.

After a week of intensive radiotherapy after Christmas, Sam passed away, very quickly on New Year's day, at home in her bed with Cerise, her sister Alison and her treasured cats Malta and Stanley beside her. The fight had become too much.

Samantha's family, partner and friends are absolutely devasted. But know that she fought as long as she could and will be in pain no more.

We would like Samantha's funeral to be a celebration of her wonderful life, full of the people she loved, colour, music, photos and stories and afterwards her favourite foods corned beef sandwiches, raspberry bakewell tart and sparkling elderflower , finished off with a nice cup of tea!

Anne, Will, Alison, Jeremy and Cerise would love to see as many people as possible at Samantha's celebration on 15th February. Details of the day are shown below. Everyone is welcome to the Church and to stay for refreshments afterwards. The cremation later will be for family members only.

Please wear something colourful and a smile.

The charities chosen instead of flowers, are CATS IN CRISIS chosen by Samantha as it was very close to her heart. She rescued two cats, Pickles and Stanley from abandonment through this charity. To donate to them directly visit https://catsincrisisthanet.wordpress.com and click on the Donate tab to choose your preferred way of paying.
Also Brain Tumour Research a very underfunded type of cancer. Just giving details for this are below.

Please confirm attendance to the service using the tab below.