Obituary of Annie I. Sample

The death of Annie Ilamae (Murray) Sample of Hopewell occurred on June 22, 2020 at the Valley View Villa at the age of 86. Annie was born on January 19th, 1934 in Gairloch, NS in a raging snow storm. Her parents couldn’t get to the hospital and the doctor couldn’t get to the farm, so Grandpa delivered her himself. She was premature so to keep her warm, they wrapped her up, put her in a shoebox and set it on the open door of the woodstove to keep her warm. It proved from the get go that she was a fighter. She was the second eldest daughter of the late William Irving and Jenny Christine (Gordon) Murray. She married Robert Sample on May 24, 1957 and they eventually moved to Hopewell where she spent the next 59 years. She was active in her church and community, singing in the church choir, working at church suppers (famous for her Hot cups of tea), teaching Sunday School and Missionband, a member of the church Guild and AMS, collecting for charities and visiting the sick and elderly. She was also a member of the Silver Light Rebecca Lodge (Past Nobel Grand) of Hopewell for approximately 31 years until it’s closing. She loved her bowling, bowling every Tuesday morning for well over 30 years until health issues caused her to give it up a few years ago. And couldn’t forget her TOPS group. She had a good group of friends with those TOPS ladies. Annie is survived by son Robert (Jean Stevens), Loon Lake, Trafalgar; daughter Marcia (George) Smeltzer, Bridgeville and grandson Michael (Stacy Peters), New Glasgow; sisters Madeline MacQuarrie, Lorne; and Wilma Cameron, Hazel Glen; brothers-in-law Percy Oliver, Westville; John Somers, PEI; Larry Thompson, Ontario; sisters-in-law Elsie Sample, Stellarton; Caroline (Sample) Dort, Westville; and Phoebe Sample, Truro; many cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a brother and sister in infancy, father and mother-in-law Robert Hugh and Catherine “Mae” (MacEachern) Sample, her husband Robert Sample, grandson Sandy, Smeltzer in infancy, sister Florence Oliver, brothers-in-law John Alex MacQuarrie, James Cameron, James “Butch” Sample, Frank Sample, Roy Sample, (Late Wife Rita), Daniel Sample, William “Billy” Sample, (late wife Peggy), sisters-in-law, Elizabeth “Bett” (her late husband Lawrence), Roberta “Penny” Somers and Fern Thompson. Cremation has taken place. Burial will be in St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Gairloch. Donations in Annie’s memory can be made to 1st Presbyterian Church, Hopewell (General Fund), St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Gairloch or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the H.C. MacQuarrie Funeral Chapel, Stellarton. The family would like to thank everyone who assisted in her care over the last 5 ½ years. Ambulance drivers, the VON, all her homecare girls who enabled her to stay in her home for as long as she did, staff in the ER, ICU, 4th floor, Restorative Care in Pictou, custodians, the cafeteria ladies who brought up the meal trays (sometimes with a little treat), everyone at Valley View Villa (She was only there a week but you gave her the utmost care and made sure her passing was very peaceful). And especially to everyone on 5 south. You were Mum’s angels for 4 months. You gave her the utmost care and treated her so lovingly and with respect. For that we are eternally grateful. Also thanks to Mum’s neighbors, friends and family who popped in for a visit when she was still at home. She enjoyed the visits. Thank-you all so very much. www.angusfuneralhomes.com