Joann Thomasina Samson

Joann Thomasina Samson (née Lanzer) of Madison, CT passed away on February 12, 2025 at the age of 87. She was born on July 09, 1937 in Astoria, NY. Other places she lived included Maspeth, NY, Hempstead, NY, and Smithtown, NY. Joann graduated from Hempstead High School in June of 1954, and then from SUNY Geneseo in 1958, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.

Joann married Edward M. Samson on August 27, 1960. They lived in Smithtown, NY, where they raised two daughters: Christen J. Riedy (née Samson) and Vicki A. Potter (née Samson). Christen and her husband, Tom Riedy, reside in Killingworth, CT and have one daughter (Joann’s granddaughter), Bethany E. Riedy. Vicki and her husband, Donnie Potter, reside in Newport, TN.

She lived in Smithtown for almost 35 years, when a job relocation for Ed brought them to Chesapeake, VA. While living in Smithtown, Joann was active in the church (Smithtown United Methodist Church and St. James United Methodist Church), loved to read, and was an avid sewer and quilter.

Joann continued these activities in Chesapeake, VA, becoming an active member of the Great Bridge United Methodist Church as well as belonging to several quilting groups.

Upon her husband’s death in September 2022, Joann was moved to Madison, CT in November of 2022, where she resided at HarborChase Senior Living Community until her death in February 2025.