Roberta D. Sampson

Roberta Doris Sampson, devoted wife and mother, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Tonawanda, NY. She is predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Richard Lee Sampson, and her stepson, Richard Lee II. She is survived by her beloved daughters, Linda Sampson of Pittsburgh, PA, and Toni Paul (William Mathias), of Longmont, CO; grandsons Jason Glick (Michael Leibenluft), of Brooklyn, NY, David Glick (Rachel) of Chicago, IL; step-grandsons Richard III and the late Mark Sampson; and bonus grandchildren Angela Mathias and the late Shane Mathias; two adored great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Lillian Glick; dear sister, Talifer Jo Whitby, and brother, Jon Whitby, of Toronto, Canada, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was affectionately known as "Grandma Boot," a nickname created by husband Richard from her Canadian pronunciation of ‘about’.

Roberta was born in Buffalo, NY and grew up in Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She graduated from nursing school, became a registered nurse, and maintained relationships with her nursing school classmates by attending yearly reunions in Hamilton, Ontario. She was thrilled when they were highlighted in the news for their 50th anniversary gathering.

Roberta met and married Richard Sampson in 1948 and settled in Endwell, NY, where they ran a successful glass and mirror shop and raised their two daughters. During her forty years in Endwell, she became a professional photographer, snapping portraits, weddings, her nursing reunion photos, and many group photos for school kindergarten classes. She would develop her own black and white photos in their basement darkroom and package all results.

Roberta was a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, becoming a life member of the Round Hill Chapter #104 in Endicott and a member of the Betsy Ross-Levant Chapter #695 in Amherst, NY. She earned her 65 year pin in 2022. She was a long-time member of the Loyal Order of Moose organization, the City of Tonawanda bocce league, as well as an active member of the City of Tonawanda Garden Club, which she very much enjoyed. She loved visiting gardens and often strolled the Buffalo garden tours and visited museums with her daughters and grandsons.

Roberta was a wonderful cook and baker and made delicious pies. She loved her home and garden, and every year planted flowers and vegetables, trying new combinations and would be so pleased with every flower and vegetable, no matter how small the crop. She had great wisdom with a financial sense, had a great memory, a soft and sweet personality, and a graciousness for everyone she knew. Roberta often reminisced about her time caring for tuberculosis patients, her photography, and the camaraderie she shared with her long-time best friends, and nursing school classmates. She was always so appreciative of every little gesture, offering or gift that someone bestowed on her. She often expressed how lucky she was to have such great neighbors and special friends, Kim, Cindy, Heather, Darrell and Amy. She was loved by all who knew her.

Relatives and friends may visit DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 3070 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, on Thursday (December 29, 2022) from 4-6pm, where a funeral service and memory sharing will immediately follow at 6pm.

Relatives and friends are also invited to attend a prayer service at DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 3070 Delaware Ave., Kenmore, on Friday (December 30, 2022) at 10am, followed by interment in Elmlawn Cemetery.

If desired, contributions in Roberta’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.