Samantha J. (Coons) Smith Obituary (1968 - 2014)

Samantha Jean (Coons) Smith, 46, formerly of South Portland, passed away very peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough on December 21, 2014 with her family by her side. Samantha was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor in May of 2012, and fought a more than courageous battle against the disease for 31 months. Samantha was a graduate of South Portland High School, Class of 1986, where she was a standout athlete in both field hockey and softball. She was also a graduate of Catherine Gibbs College in Boston, MA. She then went on to work in the legal departments of ATT and Unum. In 2006 Samantha and her family were blessed with the birth of her daughter Paige Elizabeth-Gail Smith. Samantha then became a full time stay at home mother and devoted herself fully in the raising of her daughter. She enjoyed doing anything with Paige, gardening, landscaping and exercising; she had just completed a half marathon in Disney World prior to her illness. There was no bigger lover of animals than Samantha; dogs, cats, chinchillas, guinea pigs and even hermit crabs were always part of her entourage. She also enjoyed travelling, mostly to Florida with Paige and her good friend April Rogers of Falmouth and her two daughters. Shopping trips to Boston with April (adults only) were also high on her list, but her favorite times consisted of events that involved Paige and her best friend and mother Elizabeth Joyce (Curry) Frank of South Portland. Samantha went knowing that her daughter would have a good loving life in the care of her father, Kevin Smith of Falmouth and his family and children. Paige has been going regularly for the last two years to the Maine Center for Grieving Children in Portland and will continue to go for post counseling. The family cannot say enough about the exceptionally great service they provide. With the help of the Center for Grieving Children Paige couldnt have been more prepared for the situation. Samantha is survived by her daughter, Paige Elizabeth-Gail Smith of Falmouth; mother and step father, Elizabeth Betty and Bruce Steve Frank of South Portland; father and step mother, Gary E. and Eileen R. Coons of South Portland; brother, Paul E. Coons and his wife and daughter Debra J. and Sarah Elizabeth Coons of Scarborough; brother, Todd J. Coons and his wife and two boys, Angela, Christian and Samuel of North Windham; step-brothers,Brent Frank, his fianc Kristen Fitz and his children Hayley and Brady of Gorham, John C. Frank, III his best friend Lisa Bussiere and his son John C. Frank, IV of South Portland. Also survived by caring uncles, aunts and cousins. The family would like to also thank everyone and anyone who helped during this long period. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 2PM at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday at the Funeral Home from 12PM until the time of service. To share an onlinecondolence or memory, please visit www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made the Maine Center for grieving Children, 555 Forest Ave., Portland, ME 04101.