Samantha Mackenzie Fernandes (Coles) September 18,1986 – September 8, 2022
Our beloved Sam has taken her last breath. Sam—the ultimate sweetheart, determined problem solver, warrior princess—did all she could to stay here longer, surviving her cancer for almost three years. She finally entered her deep rest this past Thursday.
Sam had many rich chapters of life, and she leaves many people in her wake who will miss her desperately, including her devoted husband, Brandon; children, Xavier and Jude, whom she adored more than anything and in whom she now lives; her parents and siblings, who are heartbroken, Jennie and Russ, Mollie (James) and Kyle; parents-in-law Caj and Sheila; sister-in-law Cheryl (Unika); sweet nephews and niece, Oliver, Theodore, and Jacinta; plus many more aunties and uncles, cousins, best friends, and the Village.
Sam was a prism of light and radiance in every space, whether with friends and family, on the soccer field, at work, or in the community. Her glittering ocean eyes, saucy humour, and completely non-judgmental way of being made everyone around her feel safe and comfortable in their own skin. She enveloped you with her warmth, as she’d hum a sweet little ditty (and mutter a naughty joke under her breath to make you giggle). Her spirit was infectious.
Sam’s cheeky charm and let’s-figure-it-out attitude made her absolutely adored in the places she worked and excelled. She studied at Seneca, York University, and CDI college, going on to become a paralegal, an administrative assistant, and a project coordinator at Waterfront Toronto. She was one kick-butt boss lady who cared deeply about the public good.
We don’t know what to do without her here, but we will hold her in our hearts and feel her close in that connection. May we carry forward her legacy of fierce loving, to her children, her family, and outward into the world. This is the love that never dies.
Visitation for Sam will be held at Marshall Funeral Home (10366 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill) on Sunday, September 11 from 3pm to 7pm.
A funeral mass will be held on Monday, September 12 at 10am at St. Mary Immaculate Church (10295 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill).
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 17 from 10am to 1pm at Madison Greenhouse (160 Bayview Parkway, Newmarket).
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Samantha Fernandes Thursday September 8th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Richmond-Hill, Province: Ontario
Dear Russ and Family,
It was with great sadness that I learned of Samantha’s passing. Although I did not know Samantha personally, I feel I know her from this beautiful memorial writing. There is a particular grief in losing someone in the prime of their life. The sense of unfairness is undeniable. For young children and a young husband, the loss must be palpable. For parents to lose a child is what we all pray will never happen. All of Samantha’s family and friends will feel the grief of losing such a special woman.
I can only send my sympathy and hope that in time her memory and all of her that lives inside you, will bring comfort as you relive love shared.
With love,
Fran Bazos