Mary Blair Sams

1937 - 2015

SAMS, Mary Blair Mary Blair Sams died at her home in Cornwall, Ct., on Friday, Jan. 9, surrounded by her family. She was 77 years old and succumbed to breast cancer. Mary was a psychotherapist in Manhattan for roughly three decades. After closing her practice, she moved full time to Cornwall, where she ran Ballyhack Antiques, specializing in American folk art. For nearly a decade, she gave her time and expertise to Prime Time House, a charity that helps people with mental illness, providing housing and assistance in finding and holding jobs in Litchfield County, Ct. There, and at a related organization, she served as an advisor, then chairperson of the board, co-chair and co-president. Mary was born in Atlanta, Ga., in 1937. She is survived by her two sons, David Armstrong Edelman of McLean, Va., and Jonathan Sams Edelman of New York City and Kent, Ct., and her stepchildren, William K. Rashbaum, Jr. and Sara Phillips, both of New York City. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Dr. William K. Rashbaum, Sr. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Annabel and Antoine Edelman, and a step-granddaughter, Isabel Phillips. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Sams, Jr., of Decatur, Ga. The family will receive visitors on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 16 Furnace Brook Road in Cornwall. A memorial service be will held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to "MSK," and write "Mary Sams" in the memo section. Send checks to the Office of Development, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 633 Third Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Or go to http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/Mary_Blair_Sams.