Ginny Samaras

Virginia K. "Ginny" Samaras, 89, a life-long resident of Red Bank, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 11, 2025 after a brief illness.

One of three children, Ginny was born in New Brunswick on January 27, 1936 to William J. and Virginia Gold Kehoe. Raised in Red Bank, she attended and graduated Red Bank Catholic and continued her education at Kean College, followed by earning her Master's Degree in Education and English at Monmouth University. Ginny taught for over 20 years at St. James Grammar School and was also a Professor of English at Monmouth University for several years.

A devout Catholic, Ginny was a life-long parishioner of St. James RC Church in Red Bank. Extremely proud of her Irish heritage, Ginny had a fun, outgoing personality, was no-nonsense, and was strong in her opinions. Thoughtful and extremely generous, she was always ready to laugh, was easy to tease, and she loved a little ribbing or being the brunt of a joke. She was talented with handiwork and did beautiful needlepoint and knitting. Loving the written word, Ginny was an avid reader and read at least a book a week. A member of the American Contract Bridge League, Ginny relished every opportunity she had to play bridge; she absolutely loved playing bridge, playing it five to six times a week and traveling everywhere to do so. Above all else, Ginny was devoted to her family and her five cherished children were her proudest achievement.

Ginny is predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband, Peter J. Samaras (1990), her daughter, Marianne Cittadino, her brother, William J. Kehoe, Jr. and her son-in-law, W. David Bauer.

Ginny is survived by her devoted children, Virginia S. Bauer (Don Steckroth), Carol Coleman (William Coleman), Cynthia Barham and Peter J. Samaras (Tina), her son-in-law, Michael Cittadino, her cherished grandchildren, David Bauer, Stephen J. Bauer, Jacqueline Bauer Seremetis, Michael Biafore, Mark Biafore, Alexandra Barham, Leslie Barham Widdis, William C. Barham, Christine Cittadino, Jennifer Cittadino and Peter M. Samaras, her beloved 12 great-grandchildren and her loving sister, Linda Kehoe of California.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Thursday, September 18th from 9:30am to 10:30am at St. James RC Church, 94 Broad Street, Red Bank. The Mass of Christian Burial will immediately commence at 10:30am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ginny's memory to St. James Parish, 94 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701 OR to Easter Seals, 1215 Main Street, Asbury Park NJ 07712.