South San Francisco, CA September 25, 2023 By Garden Chapel Funeral Directors
Marie was valedictorian of her graduating high school class and was offered a full tuition scholarship to attend the University of New Hampshire but was unable to attend because she had no transportation to get there. Instead, she moved to Wisconsin with her sister, Barbara in 1943, to take a job as a secretary for a wholesale grocery company. She eventually joined the Women’s branch of the Naval Reserves (WAVES) during WWII and was stationed on Treasure Island in San Francisco until 1949. She met her husband Dee in San Francisco, and they married on Treasure Island in 1947. They lived in San Francisco until 1950 when they purchased their first and only home in San Bruno where they raised their four children.
Marie was a lifelong volunteer, being involved in her children’s elementary, junior high and high school PTAs. She managed the finances and membership for the San Bruno Surfriders Swim Team for well over a decade while her children were involved in AAU competitive swimming. After her children were grown, she continued to volunteer for the local and regional AAU swim events by officiating as a judge for swim meets. She also served as a voter poll worker for many years. Her passion was gardening and flower arranging. She was one of the first, and last members of the San Bruno Garden Club, serving as past President, Secretary and Treasurer throughout the 60 plus years of this organization. She provided monthly flower arrangements for the San Bruno City Council for many years and won countless awards at the San Mateo County Fair and other flower shows for her flower arrangements. Marie was also one of the first volunteers for the San Bruno Senior Center when it began at the former Edgemont Elementary School, continued when it moved to its current location in 1987, and volunteered there until she was 96 in 2021. She received local, state, and national recognition for her volunteer service. She was volunteer of the year in 1984 and the City of San Bruno made a proclamation for “Marie Samora Day” on January 17, 2007, and built a bench at the Senior Center in her honor. Marie believed you should give back to your community, and as long as you can, never stop moving.
Marie is survived by her four children, Sandy Samora (Grove Hoover), Barbara Samora, Frank Samora and Sherry Samora, her three grandchildren, Kelli Barkett Magill (Wes), Jenna Samora, and Anthony Samora; and her brother Joseph Schanda, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dee, her parents Frank and Mable Schanda, sisters Margaret (Peggy) Garside, Fran Allen, Barbara Wilsterman, and Kay Kaas, and brothers Carl Schanda, Frank Schanda, John Schanda and Richard Schanda.
Her family invites you to attend a Celebration of Life on October 15 at 11:30 am – 3:00 pm at the San Bruno Senior Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the San Bruno Senior Center (1555 Crystal Springs Rd, San Bruno, CA 94066) or the Pollinator Partnership (600 Montgomery Street, Suite 440, San Francisco, CA. 94111).
While Marie lived in San Bruno, she was well known and loved by many in South San Francisco as well.