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Sadie Jane Marshall (Samuelson), 38, of Hampton, VA, died December 30, 2016, from cardiac arrest.
She was born February 1, 1978 in Ellsworth, Maine to Clyde Jr. and Martha (Hawkes) Samuelson of Columbia Falls, Maine. She attended Columbia Falls Elementary School and graduated from Mount Desert Island High School, class of 1996.
Sadie always enjoyed helping others: as a toddler, helping Grampie in his garden in Jonesport, Maine; during her elementary school years, making annual Christmas visits to underprivileged children; while in high school, participating in a Health Care Services curriculum and as a camp counselor at the Downeast Family YMCA Day Camp in Ellsworth, Maine. For many years Sadie was a volunteer child care provider at the Annual Special Family Weekend where she assisted with children and young adults with special needs at a weekend retreat. She was a Program Aide in Girl Scouts for the Abnaki Girl Scout Council area day camps in Maine.
Even in her several years as an employee for Avis at the Newport News/ Williamsburg International Airport, Sadie made a special effort to provide that special “customer first” service. Many of her customers returned regularly, pleased with her sparkling personality and memory for detail.
In 2011 Sadie was licensed as a Home Health Care Aide in Norfolk, Virginia, and until her health declined, provided services through Always Best Care Senior Services. She developed special relationships with clients, was an avid listener and provided a spark of sunshine.
More recently, Sadie was a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer through Norfolk CASA, Inc., “providing advocacy so that every child can be safe from harm, establish permanency, and have the opportunity to thrive.” Those experiences working with children in the foster care system enlightened Sadie on the importance of strong family connections for children. As an American Red Cross Disaster Relief volunteer, Sadie was part of a trained action team who respond to single-family fires in the Hampton area.
Sadie’s special project has been as a volunteer at the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation. Both she and Cole volunteered at their Monday night sock hops and Saturday morning bowling. She helped coach swimming for the Special Olympics and was a special buddy for a golfer. She had that special knack of interacting with adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. How their eyes would light up and they’d flock to her when she entered the gym! She always remembered what was important to each one and responded with warm hugs and handshakes.
As we all know, Sadie was the “Selfie Queen” and being part of Facebook was a vital part of her life! She loved to keep in touch with friends and relatives near and far, and share photos of she and Cole in their latest activities, posted favorite recipes and forwards related to caring and compassionate living.
Sadie was married briefly to Dan Turnquist, United States Marine Corps (USMC) in 1998, and later married Kyle Allerdings, also USMC. Although divorced in 2008, three years after the birth of their son Cole on August 4, 2005, together they have shared the care and custody of their son.
Cole has forever been the love of Sadie’s life. She made every effort to provide a safe and nurturing home for him. She applauded his accomplishments as an honor student at Spratley Center for the Gifted in Hampton, Virginia, and encouraged him to be involved in some of the volunteer activities she so loved. Even as her health declined, Cole’s welfare was her number one priority.
Sadie is survived by her father, Clyde Samuelson, Jr. of Columbia, Maine; her mother, Martha (Hawkes) Samuelson, of Venice, Florida; her son, Cole Allerdings, of Hampton, Virginia; and her brother, Eben Samuelson, and his wife, Leslie Samuelson, of Norfolk, Virginia. She is also survived by uncles, David Hawkes, of Ellsworth, Maine and Harlan Samuelson, of Bangor, Maine; an aunt, Esther Savar, of Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania; a niece, Blakely Samuelson, of Norfolk, Virginia; and several cousins. Sadie is also survived by an extensive network of caring friends.
Sadie was predeceased by grandparents, Clyde and Dorothy Samuelson of Jonesport, Maine and Ralph and Jane Hawkes of Bar Harbor, Maine, uncles William Hawkes of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Dana Hawkes of Franklin, New Hampshire, an aunt, Kathy Hawkes of Ellsworth, Maine and a niece, Logan Cate Samuelson, of Norfolk, Virginia.
A memorial service for Sadie will be held on Friday, January 6, 2017, 2:00 PM, at Families Choice Funerals, 5401 Indian River Rd., Virginia Beach, Virginia. Donations in memory of Sadie can be made to Volunteer Services, Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Foundation. www.sarahbonwellhudgins.org/donations.htm . Please join her family in this celebration of Sadie’s life.
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