Jacqulyn Sample

Jacqulyn “Jackie” Lorraine (Smith) Sample, 92, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away February 1, 2023, at home surrounded by her family after a long illness. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland to James and Rose (Resch) Smith in November of 1930. She was the youngest and last surviving sibling of 6 children.

Jacqulyn attended Bard-Avon Secretarial School just prior to going to work for the Department of the Army in 1952. It was in their employ at Edgewood Arsenal that she met Paul Sample, her husband of 70 years (married January 10, 1953). Her secretarial skills served her well when she and Paul moved to Morgantown, West Virginia. She worked for the Ag Department at West Virginia University while Paul completed his doctoral studies. She continued using those skills as the financial secretary at Aldersgate Methodist Church when she and her family finally settled in Wilmington, Delaware. When her children were grown she applied her desire to help others by volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware. She assisted with their laundry at least twice a week well into her 80’s.

Jacqulyn was a devoted mother and amazing homemaker. She had a passion for baking, sewing, knitting, and tending to her collection of orchids. She was unafraid to personally tackle almost any home improvement project, whether it was installing a path of ‘locally sourced’ rocks (way before it was cool), or painting and wallpapering multiple rooms in the house. She particularly loved spending countless hours with her grandchildren when they were growing up. She always knew what just the right thing to get each one of them was. She was an avid reader. The bookshelves in her house are filled with the numerous books she devoured. She also loved to travel wherever and whenever there was an opportunity.

Jacqulyn is survived by her husband, Dr. Paul E. Sample of Wilmington, DE, sons Gary Sample and husband Wilson Villanova of Coral Gables, FL; Ron Sample and wife Joan Sample of Greenville, SC; Brad Sample and wife Stephanie Ashburn of Sacramento, CA; Whitney Sample and wife Blanka Sample of Elkton, MD and daughter Kim Sample Edwards of Wilmington, DE, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.