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September 3 , 2007 • VOL. 45, NO. 15 • Oakland, CA
OBITUARY
Sister John Marie Samaha, SHF
Sister John Marie Samaha, a Sister of the Holy Family for 64 years who
was best known for her advocacy for poor and marginalized people, died
Aug. 1 at her community’s Motherhouse in Fremont. She was 84.
A San Francisco native, she ministered as a religious educator in parishes
throughout California and for many years served as pastoral associate
at St. Joseph Parish in Fremont. As part of her ministry there, she directed
a Bible Study course which inspired a group of women into service to the
poor and led to the establishment of Sister John Marie’s Pantry
in 1980.
Rather than giving out food baskets, the Pantry distributes food vouchers
that enable people to do their own shopping. The Pantry is a ministry
of St. Joseph Parish and encompasses the Tri-City area.
Sister Samaha also devoted her boundless energy to other causes, including
the Tri-City Homeless Coalition, and was chaplain with the Fremont Fire
Department. In 1997, she was presented the papal award, “Pro Ecclesia
et Pontifice,” in recognition of extraordinary service to the universal
Church.
Survivors include her sisters, Sister John Dominic Samaha of the Dominican
Sisters of Mission San Jose in Fremont; Mildred Samaha of San Francisco;
and Marianist Brother John Samaha of Cupertino.
The funeral Mass was held Aug. 7 at St. Joseph Church in Fremont. Burial
was at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma. Memorial gifts may be sent to the
Sisters of the Holy Family Mission Fund, P.O. Box 3276, Fremont, CA 94539.
