Eunice Thompson Samer

Eunice Thompson Samer, 92, of Fort Collins, CO passed away on August 12, 2021. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Rudolf W. Samer. Eunice is survived by her daughter, Lois Samer of Fort Collins, CO.

A graveside service will be held at 11am EDT on August 25, 2021 at Graceland Memorial Park in Kenilworth, NJ. The service will be officiated by Pastor Rick Reiten of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, CO. Eunice began attending Trinity Lutheran with her brother upon moving to Fort Collins in 1984.

Eunice was the youngest of three children born to William J. and Agnes M. A. Thompson. Her siblings Agnes and Robert (Bob) were 9 and 7 years older, respectively. She married the love of her life, Rudy Samer, just two days after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Montclair State University in June, 1950. She eventually earned a Master of Arts degree from Newark State College in 1968.

Having been a substitute teacher in Cranford, NJ for several years, she was hired by the Springfield, NJ Board of Education in September, 1964. She spent the next 20 years working in Springfield as a 5th grade teacher, elementary school principal, and special education teacher. She was a natural teacher and thoroughly enjoyed working with colleagues in a progressive, team teaching format in Springfield for many years. Their 5th grade students benefited greatly from this collaboration!

After retiring in 1984, Eunice and her brother moved to Fort Collins to be near her daughter, Lois. She continued working on her knitting and counted cross stitch projects for many years. Baking remained her signature skill and many Harvey Wallbanger cakes, cherry and apple pies were happily consumed despite the challenges of baking at 5000 feet! She and Bob actively volunteered at Trinity Lutheran Church for many years as the "two man" landscape crew for all aspects of the grounds. Her volunteering was low key in nature, and she was not someone to seek recognition. But her caring – whether for her own family, or other church members and neighbors – was readily apparent.

To view her graveside service live at 11am EDT (9am MDT) please click on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89437359149?pwd=a0I1VjEwclhiK2paaEd2QXBtTmVkZz09

In lieu of flowers, please make all contributions to the Fort Collins Area Salvation Army at https://fortcollins.salvationarmy.org/fort_collins_corps/ .