Dr. Sheri Lynne Samuels
January 4, 1953 - January 11, 2015
Dr. Sheri Lynne Samuels died at the age of 62, at home in Edmonton with her family, after a courageous battle against cancer. She carried out her fight, as she lived, with thoughtfulness, grace and dignity.
Sheri was born in Monticello, New York, to the late Boris and Claire Samuels. Sheri was always admired for her intelligence, fortitude, determination and good values, bringing these rare attributes to a thoughtful, wise, caring and practical life. She refrained from the lazy, narrow or easy view and worked hard to achieve a balance in an understated way. After graduating from Cornell University in 1974, she worked as a Health Inspector, a Physician’s Assistant and then went to medical school, receiving her MD from the University of Alberta in 1994. She worked as a physician at Boyle McCauley, Hy’s Center and Canadian Blood Services. Her dedication to her patients was only matched by her dedication to her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Dennis Kunimoto and children, Brenden and Danika Kunimoto, as well as her brother, Gary Samuels, and sister, Bonnie Kaye.
Thanks to Debby Waldman and Dr. Anola Carson for their friendship and exceptional support, especially over the past few months. Thanks to Sheri’s extended family and friends for their love and support. A special thanks to Cathy Gohring and Cindy Karp for their lifelong friendship, and thanks to the Infectious Diseases extended family for their generous help. We are grateful for the exceptional, compassionate medical care from Dr. Helen Steed and Elisha Andrews, Dr. Ami Singh and Dr. Janice Paproski. Also, a thank you to the dedicated staff at the Cross Cancer Institute and Royal Alexandra Hospital, who provided excellent care.
A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends.
Donations may be made in memory of Sheri Samuels at https://albertacancer.ca/donate/in-memory for the fight against ovarian cancer.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
-Curtiss & Judy
How do you say goodby to an angel? Sheri will always be in my heart forever…Love Joan
My thoughts and prayers go to your family during this very hard and sad time. I will always remember “Dr. Sam” when she signed off our Lookback and Traceback files here at CBS and would often stay to chat when she brought files up. My favorite memory is when she wanted to do something difference with her hair and was always talking to us about ideas. She thought she might want to grow it longer and asked me how I was able to have my hair so nice and straight. I told her I use a flat iron. I then brought mine in and we sat and I used my flat iron on her hair to see if that is what she would like. We had so much fun in our office that day. In the end she said it was too much work and she was going to keep her hair short. Funny how you don’t think too much about those things until that special person is no longer on this earth with us. I will miss our chats and her friendly smile and the lunches we went to our each of our birthdays. I know you are no longer in pain Dr. Sam and for that I am grateful. You will be missed so much.
Words can never say enough . . . . I do know we will see you again.
Please except my heart felt condolences.
Linda
Dear Dr Kunimoto and family:
My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you at this painful time. May the thoughts and prayers of family and friends bring you comfort and strength.
Maria Stadnyk
It is with great saddness we send our condolences. We had no idea Sheir was so ill. While we did not know her well, I knew Sheri to be a gentle, quiet, intelligent, kind, compassionate person. I was so pleased you were fortunate enough to call her your wife and together you have two beautiful children. I regret that I was no able to develop our relationship further. Cherish your memories. Laugh when you can, weep when you must.
We will not be attending the memorial service, but please understand that our hearts and warmest embraces are with you, Brenden and Danika. Hold onto one another for strength and support. Hug one another as you share in your grief and fond memories.
Love, Kathy, Ron, Kiyomi and Mariko and their families.
We just heard the sad news. Our most sincere condolences to Sheri’s husband, children and siblings. Sheri was a very special, loving person and touched many people’s lives. We’ve known Sheri for nearly 50 years and will miss her.
Bilha & Len
A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. Please accept my condolences to her family. I knew Sheri in the seventies and she was of the same character as the rest of her life. She will not be forgotten.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My deepest condolences to your family.
Geetu