Sam L Kirk

Sam was born in Chicago, Illinois August 8th, 1948 to Arnold and Mary Jane Christensen. Sam attended school at Chicago Vocational School. Shortly after graduation she married Jay Walter Kirk, the love of her life, on June 26th, 1971 in Wheeling, Illinois. Sam and Jay soon started building their family and moved to Hollywood, Florida, eventually settling in Tampa where they raised three children. Sam was an athletic young lady and loved to be near the water. She excelled at swimming; so much so that she even tried out for the U.S. Olympic Team.

Sam was dedicated to her family and was quoted as saying “My kids are my world”. Sam cared for her family and friends, and loved to cook her famous Goulosh, which she perfected over many years.

Sam and Jay celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2021, surrounded by family and friends of many generations. Jay says, “Sam never met anyone she didn’t like” and “would help anyone with anything they needed”.

Her fascination of dolphins is rivaled only by her love of butterflies, which is documented by the butterfly necklace Sam wore for almost five decades. The necklace formerly belonged to her late Sister, Christine.

Sam and Jay shared a passion for travel, and saw parts as far away as Asia, Europe, and together they travelled throughout the United States, always making new friends along the way.

Sam is preceded in death by Mary Jane Christensen (Mother), Arnold Christensen (Father), and Christine Christensen (Sister).

Sam is survived by Husband, Jay Kirk and Children, Stacy (Glenn) Franson, Shannan (Stephen) Kinsley, Jeff (Colby) Kirk and Siblings, Robert (Pam) Christensen, John (Sue) Christensen, Ron (Lavonne) Christensen, Jane Christensen, Jim Christensen, Tim Schiller and Grandchildren, Zachary (Brittany) Cabrera, Taylor Cabrera, Alexandra Kinsley, Brooke Sylvain, Cooper Kinsley, Chloe Kirk and Great-Grandchildren, Kirk, Ella-Mae, Fulton Cabrera.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Charanns (6748 Memorial Highway Tampa FL 33615) on Saturday April 9, 2022 from 1pm to 4pm. All are welcome to attend and raise a glass in Sam’s honor.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made in the form of contributions to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.