Samantha Ann Hein

Samantha Ann Hein, 41, resident of Cedar Park TX, died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, July 13th. Samantha was born in Laredo TX on September 8, 1979 to Letitia (Tisha) and Oscar Hein. Samantha, affectionately known by her family and friends as Sam, has strong Texas family roots on both sides of her family with South Texas ranching and mineral development interests. At five months of age, Sam was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, which at that time carried a life expectancy of no more than ten years. As a result, her life was characterized by constant health challenges and ongoing treatments to moderate the effects of this incurable disease. Through determination and willingness to aggressively explore established, experimental and holistic treatments, Sam was able to live a fully functional and successful life as a wife and mother, and established a long-term career with the Whole Foods natural grocery chain, where she rose from working at the juice bar in a Florida location to her most recent position as a Senior Category Merchant for Exclusive Brands at the Austin corporate office. Sam’s energy, vision and passion for natural beauty and wellness contributed to her success with the company and enabled her to travel extensively worldwide seeking unique products for the company.  She took great pride in her work and shared her knowledge freely with her loved ones.

Samantha is survived by her beloved daughter Rhiannon, Rhiannon’s loving father Adam Penna, mother Tisha Drozd, step-fathers Benny Drozd and Jerry Rogers, brother Alex Rogers, half-sisters Kathleen McWilliams and Allison Gray, and step-sisters Sara Blain and Elizabeth Lester. In addition, Sam has a large and close family consisting of numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces and nephews all of whom greatly treasured her unique presence in their lives and in turn were greatly loved by Sam.  She was preceded in death by her father Oscar and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Samantha will be best remembered as a loving and dedicated mother to daughter Rhiannon, born on January 22, 2009, who her family considered to be a miracle baby. Due to the health risks associated with pregnancy in her condition, doctors had advised against childbearing. However, Sam was determined to be a mother and from the moment she was born Rhiannon became the center of Samantha’s life and the focus of her devotion.  In spite of the burdens of invasive treatments and frequently life-threatening health crises, Sam refused to feel sorry for herself.  She was known within her extended family and among her social network as a generous, kind and spiritual presence and role model. Her quiet determination to live life to the fullest has been a constant source of inspiration to all who knew her. As an example she recently returned from an extensive multi-state trip along the Pacific coast highway with her brother Alex and Rhiannon.  This trip will long be cherished as a tribute to Sam’s enthusiasm for life.

Symbolic of Samantha’s life view, she recently shared this quote with her social network:

None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after thought.  Eat the delicious food. Walk in the sunshine.  Jump in the ocean.  Say the truth that you’re carrying in your heart like hidden treasure. Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There’s no time for anything else. ~ Anthony Hopkins

A visitation will take place at Christ Episcopal Church in Cedar Park on Monday, July 19, 2021 from 1-2 PM. The funeral mass will immediately follow, beginning at 2 PM.