ELAINE SAMSON

ST. LOUIS, MO. -- Elaine Gressman Samson, 85, passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon, Sept. 27, 2008, from complications related to breast cancer. Funeral: 1 p.m. Thursday at Beth-El Congregation, 4901 Briarhaven Road. Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger will officiate. Following committal prayers, Elaine will be laid to rest next to her husband, David, in the Beth-El Section of Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: Her family will receive friends at the home of her brother, Arthur Gressman, on Thursday with a Minyan service beginning at 6 p.m. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to Beth-El Congregation, the American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345), the Jewish Federation of Tarrant County, or to Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), in Elaine's memory, is suggested. Elaine was born Sept. 23, 1923, in Fort Worth, the daughter of Harry and Dena Gressman. She graduated from Paschal High School in 1940 and received an associate's degree in English from North Texas Agricultural College, now the University of Texas at Arlington. In 1942 she edited the college yearbook. During World War II she served at Shepard Field in Wichita Falls as a clerk in the quartermaster corps maintaining supplies for the U.S. Army. In 1946, Elaine married David Samson of Fort Worth. Together they raised their three children, Susan, Cynthia Dee and Douglas. After 10 years in Springfield, Mo., they returned to live in Fort Worth. Married for 51 years, Elaine and David enjoyed traveling all over the world, before Mr. Samson's death in 1997. She collected bells from each county they visited. Elaine was a lifelong member of Temple Beth-El and served as president of Temple Beth-El Sisterhood. She worked as a volunteer for Temple Beth-El, The Jewish Federation, and The National Council for Jewish Women. Elaine was known for her gregarious nature, her philanthropy, her concern for others, and her contributions as a volunteer, mother and wife. She moved to St. Louis in 2002 to live near her daughters. When she relocated to St. Louis, she enthusiastically became a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, whose rabbis and cantor gave her much comfort during the past difficult year. Elaine Samson will be greatly missed by her many friends and the family who loved her so well. Survivors: Elaine is survived by her daughters, Susan Samson Saxe and Cynthia "DeDe" Samson Seltzer and her husband, Garry, of St. Louis, Mo.; her son, Douglas Craig Samson of Santa Monica, Calif.; grandchildren, Matt and Adrienne Saxe and Courtney and Blake Hamilton; her great-granddaughter, Caitlin J. Saxe; brother, Arthur Gressman of Fort Worth; sister, Bernice Gressman Meyerson and her husband, Brudus, of Dallas; and several nieces and nephews. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233

ELAINE SAMSON

September 23, 1923 - September 27, 2008