Madeleine Elizabeth Crossland Samson

1941 - 2024

Madeleine Samson died peacefully at her home in Plaquemine, Louisiana on October 26, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada on April 30, 1941, the daughter of Charles Wilfred Crossland and Marguerite Hilda Francis. She was the youngest child of three daughters. At the age of six, she was diagnosed with Rheumatic Fever and spent the following three years in bed. During that time, she developed a passion for reading that lasted throughout her life. After high school in Ottawa, she wanted to become a flight attendant, which required a nursing education. She entered the Ottawa Civic Hospital to be trained as a nurse in 1958. In the summer of 1960 she met Joseph Arsene Herman Samson, a medical student at the University of Ottawa. They were engaged after their graduation in June 1961 and moved briefly to Detroit where they began their careers. They married on December 16, 1961 in Montreal, Quebec. Madeleine worked with her husband as his nurse and managed his medical office. They had two sons and two daughters while they lived in Halifax, Cheticamp, Ottawa and Montreal. In November 1971, the family moved to Pembroke, Ontario and lived there for almost a decade. Madeleine and her family immigrated to the US on December 10, 1980 and settled in Plaquemine, where Herman started his private practice. He retired in 1997 and together they drove their fifth-wheel throughout the US and Canada, spending time in South Texas in the winters and Alaska (for two years) and Nova Scotia in the summers. Madeleine became a widow when Herman passed away on September 28, 2007. She loved to travel with her children and was very involved with the Catholic Church. She served as a Church Lector and became a Eucharistic Minister. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Altar Society, co-facilitator of Bible Study at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Plaquemine and taught confirmation classes for twenty years. She also had weekly prayers and meditation at the Adoration Chapel. Visitation will be at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Plaquemine, on Thursday, October 31st, from 8 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., cremation will follow. Pallbearers will be Robert, Charles and Brady Samson, Michael Jesmer, Brandon Young and Jacob Yoakum. Madeleine is survived by her children, Charles and husband Michael Jesmer of Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Angela Samson McClure of St. Gabriel, Lisa Samson of Dallas, TX, and son Robert and wife Melissa Acosta of Port Allen. She is also survived by grandchildren, Abigail (Samson) and husband Brandon Young of Erwinville, Cecile McClure and Jacob Yoakum of Clinton, MS, and Brady Samson of Brusly; great-granddaughter, Amelia Young and great-grandson, Wyatt Yoakum; and many nieces and nephews in Canada. She was predeceased by her husband, Herman; parents; sisters, Dorothy Bajorek and Anne Nelimmarka; and son-in-law, Dr Raymond McClure. Special thanks to Clarity Hospice of Baton Rouge and especially to her caregivers, Lila and Alice. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Clarity Hospice, the American Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice. Please share memories at www.wilbertservices.com