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Lucinn “Cinn”, “Cinner” Thomas Sams passed away peacefully surrounded by family the morning of November 8, 2025.Lucinn was born in Elmira, in upstate New York to Louis Edward “Ed” Thomas and Myrtle Keyes Thomas on January 27, 1940. The family grew 5 years later when her sister Karen was born. They later moved to Cleveland, Ohio in the Shaker Heights area, where they lived throughout Cinn’s youth.She graduated from Shaker High School in Cleveland, Ohio. She was always incredibly athletic, excelling especially in field hockey and basketball and was recognized as a scholar athlete. She volunteered as a candy striper at a nearby hospital. Karen describes her as an amazing sister. And let us not forget she did knock the garage off its foundation as an early driver.She went to DePauw University where she graduated with honors in 1962. She also served her beloved Delta Gamma chapter as President 1961-62. She married her pledge sister and dear friend Dorothy Sams Healy’s brother Phillip R Sams soon after graduation. They had two children, Kelsie Phillip Sams and Carole Lucinn Sams Hoemeke.Cinn was an incredible, active mom who kept everything together, driving to years of ice hockey practices at all hours of the day and night, swim meets, figure skating, Scouts and the kids’ many, many other activities. She survived the many snakes, mice, baby birds and lizard pets caught in the wild (even though we know she was not a fan), and taught her kids to take adventures, try many things, and live free! But she also drilled them with grammar and her love of books and music! She never let her kids leave for school without something in their stomach. And we have received many messages from childhood friends: “She was always my calm place, my safe place.” “Your mom was the cool mom - never said no to our sleepovers.” “She was a special one.” “She always made me feel special.” “She was kind.” This tradition carried on to Carole and Kelsie’s friends in college too: “She treated me like one of her kids.” “We always loved when she came for a visit.” “She was a proud Tree mom.” And she did this all quietly - not looking for praise. Just for her true love of it all.The family enjoyed so many memories on Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield Illinois. She and Carole (Cari) partnered in many regattas in her beloved Sunfish. She was also an avid skier. She always supported her son’s early morning departures to fish all day on his own (remember - no cell phones or GPS). Many experienced her incredible hospitality at the “Lake House,” and she so loved all the families that also shared the love of the Lake. Cinn always wanted to be an architect and said she would have been if she had been born in later years when it was so much more available to women. She realized that love when she designed and served as General Contractor for their beloved home in Forest Hills that still sits as a special home in the neighborhood. And she had a passion for restoring old junk to beautiful antiques and brought it together with modern décor before anyone was doing it.Cinn’s athleticism turned to golf, and it became such an important part of her life. She was an early member of Forest Hills and an immediate leader in the 18-hole women’s golf group, joining the St. Louis Women’s District Golf Association on the Forest Hills team and ultimately became President in 1995 and 1996, was an active member of the Missouri State Amateur organization, and was a leadership volunteer for the PGA, including when the Championship was played at Bellerive Country Club. What she loved most was her time volunteering at Forest Hills for the Jr Golf Association, every Friday morning out there to help the next generation love golf. Her love carried through to her grandson Tommy, taking him out on the par 3 course at Forest Hills. He still carries this passion for golf.During the Forest Hills days she was often in the middle of the shenanigans with a huge smile and so much laughter. So many amazing friendships during those many chapters from kids, social club, golf, bridge and more.Cinn was a survivor, plain and simple. She survived divorce. She survived a full loss house fire. She survived rare breast cancer, diagnosed on 9/11. She was strong. And always strong for her family in her quiet unassuming way. Amazing example to all that loved her.Cinn found great joy as a grandmother, present at both of her grandchildren’s births, from moment one. She clocked many miles between San Francisco and Missouri in their early years, then Missouri to Atlanta, and could be found sitting for hours holding a sleeping baby, fully content. Always calm in chaos. Amy was her favorite ladybug, and she bought Tommy his first set of golf clubs (albeit plastic 2-year-old size). She loved and treasured her many handmade jewels to her last days. She always cheered their pursuits fully and was so proud of them both. Her real jewels.Cinn loved her dog, Socks. She loved her friendships deeply. She loved Birkenstocks, especially those fancy ones picked out by Amy. She loved crossword puzzles. And she treasured her little 1957 190SL convertible Mercedes, usually with kids crammed in the back seat, top down. She had a Cardinal and flamingo addiction.And she loved the Mardi Gras beads from Kelsie that became great dress up treasures. Cinn would tell you she gave her cake recipe to Pepperidge Farm for their Frozen Chocolate Layer Cake and always served it for birthday breakfasts and well beyond. She also gave Stouffers their mac and cheese recipe. She told us so it must be true. And everyone loved her famous dessert - a box of mini-Dove bars dumped on the table after a great meal. Cinn is survived by her sister Karen Thomas West (Tom) and Karen’s son Rob Roe (Amber Turner) and his children Riley, Mackenzie, Trey and Brady; her children Carole Sams Hoemeke, Kelsie & Barbara Sams, her beloved grandchildren and their partners Thomas & Dana Hoemeke and Amy Hoemeke & Langston Peoples, and her many grand dogs (Stella, Maya & Sunshine) and great Grand Dog (Lily). She also is survived by her niece and nephews Philip Sams, Richard Sams, Greg Pitner (Beth) and Jennifer Pitner Stecco (Patrick). And by the extended Jasper Clan, her family by choice. Her family was her world. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests you to make donations to Humane Society of Missouri, Delta Gamma Foundation:Service for Sight, or Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis.

Lucinn "Cinn" Thomas Sams

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