Millie Sample

Born and raised in Kauai, Hawaii, Millie was the daughter of the late Mary (Camara) and Donat Stason. She left her island home to attend college at the University of Washington in Seattle where she completed her degree in sociology.

For 59 years, Millie was the devoted wife of her loving husband, the late Donald Sample MD. Together, they built a beautiful military life. They lived in nine states before settling in Annapolis, MD, where they lived for 40 years in their home on the Chesapeake Bay.

Millie leaves behind a legacy of love carried on by her family: daughters Kathryn (Greg) MacDonald and Christine (Brian MD, deceased) Schafer MD. She is also survived by her grandchildren Penda MacDonald, Tarryn MacDonald, Tiffany (Hunter) Charneski, Brittany (Edward DO) Jones MD, Brian Jr. (Christi) Schafer, Stason (Drew) Vandegrift MD; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Under her leadership, garden clubs flourished. Over the years, she was president of the US Naval Academy Garden Club, Hillsmere Garden Club, District II Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, and she was also a member of the Washington DC Ikebana International. Her flower arrangements filled the US Naval Academy Chapel for years with her distinctive style becoming known as “A Millie." Millie won innumerable awards and ribbons for her floral arrangements. She had an intuitive sense of color and design, and she mentored many in the art of floral arrangement. She also dedicated many volunteer hours in historic Annapolis at the Hammond Harwood House, and at Paca Gardens. A tree was planted in her honor at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.

Above all, Millie will be remembered for her faith, creativity, strong spirit, flower arranging talent, and the love she shared with her family and many, many friends.

A visitation hour will be held from 10-11 a.m., Friday, December 5, 2025 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3937 Wilson Ave. SW, Grandville MI, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.