Irene Sampson

Irene (Grago) Sampson, 81 of Center Twp. passed away Friday morning, July 22, 2016 at Heritage Valley, Beaver emergency room.Irene was born in Aliquippa on February 17, 1935 and was a daughter of the late George and Mary (Vyda) Grago. Growing up in Aliquippa, she was known as ‘Babe’ and was a 1953 graduate of Aliquippa High School. On April 7, 1956, she and Robert A Sampson were united in marriage. Irene was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Center Twp. and was a former member of the Center Civic Women’s Club and had previously bowled at Center Lanes. She was a loyal Pittsburgh Pirates fan and enjoyed cooking, particularly dishes of her Slovak heritage as haluski, palacinsky, perogies, kobasa, Slovakian Easter bread and Easter cheese. In 1997, she retired from the former Waldenbooks store at the Beaver Valley Mall where she was employed for 15 years. Irene is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert A. Sampson. She was a beloved mother of Mary Klaas and her husband, James of Center Township, Robin Sampson of Center Township and Robert Sampson of Baden and was an adored grandmother to her only grandchild, Jamey Klaas. One of seven children, she leaves behind her siblings: Leona (Richard) Zihmer of Hopewell Township, Ann Edmunds of Baden and Andy (Lucy) Grago of Aliquippa. A Brother in law, Melvin (Marian) Sampson of Monaca; a sister n law, Carol (Paul) Suttelle of Monaca; a brother in law, John (Alice) Sampson of Clarion and a brother in law, Richard Nunzir of Monaca. Numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Ivancik of New Brighton and Liz McBride of New castle. A brother, John Grago of Aliquippa, a brother in law, Roy Edmunds and a sister in law, Marlene Nunzir. Friends will be received on Monday, July 25^th from 2-4 and 6-8 pm in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Ave., Monaca. Additional visitation on Tuesday from 9:30 am until 10:30 am at the funeral home prior to a funeral service at 11 am in Faith Lutheran Church, corner of Brodhead and Center Grange Roads, Center Township with her pastor, the Reverend A Patrice Weirick, officiating. Private interment will take place in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff of Progressive Home Health Care and to a very dear friend and neighbor, Carolyn Boler. Memorial contributions may be made, if desired to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Center Township, PA. 15001.