Teresa Samson

Teresa Aileen (Finigan) Samson, age 61, returned to her heavenly home on October 13, 2025, at her residence due to natural causes.

She was born May 13, 1964, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, daughter of the late Louis Robert and Betty Lorraine Finigan. With seven siblings, and sitting neatly in the middle, Teresa did not lack for others to cause mischief with or to be "parented by." She spent her youth in Idaho Falls venturing through the neighborhood tormenting the boy down the street who would become the love of her life. During her teenage years, she would find herself in Texas, and later Hawaii for short periods. Life provided her these experiences to prepare her for a future as a military wife.

In late 1982, Teresa was blessed with her beautiful daughter, Tanya May. Her mother had always "threatened" her that she hoped she would have "a daughter just as mouthy and stubborn as she is." This would be a threat Teresa soon learned came to fruition.

On April 16, 1983, Teresa married the love of her life, Steven Lynn Samson, in Bremerton, Washington. Steven excitedly welcomed his two girls into his life. In 1985, Teresa and Steven welcomed their first son, Patrick James, and shortly thereafter, were swift off to Vicenza, Italy, for Steven's next duty station as an Airborne Trooper in the US Army.

While Steven served honorably, Teresa busied herself with motherhood and volunteering to help run events for the men and women Steven served with. From Italy, they moved to North Carolina, where in 1988, Teresa and Steven welcomed their second son, Joshua David. Then in 1990, they would welcome their third son while Steven was deployed as part of Operation Desert Storm. Prior to his deployment, Teresa agreed to the name Clifford William; however, growing up with the books "Clifford, the Big Red Dog," she was not fond of the name Clifford, and so she decided to go rogue and named him Adam Clifford, a minor deviation.

In 1992, Steven retired from the US Army and the family moved to Idaho Falls. Shortly thereafter, Teresa and Steven were blessed with their fourth son and final child, Travis William. Travis was born with cerebral palsy and other health issues. He became Teresa's forever baby.

For the next several decades, Teresa volunteered with her children's activities, managed their wrestling team while Steven coached, judged a debate tournament (once was enough for her), and being a mother to every person who walked through her door. Her children's friends often did not know her name, always opting for Mom. In 2005, this resulted in Teresa gaining another daughter in Angie Racquel.

Embracing her tenacity of caring for others, Teresa worked in the Home Healthcare industry. Even when she was "off the clock" she took care of her clients to ensure their needs were met. At holiday time, she would bake pounds upon pounds of varying sweet treats that she would deliver to the military recruiting centers to honor and celebrate service members during the holiday season.

Soon Teresa became a grandma and the light inside her grew, now it was the friends of her grandchildren calling her Grandma, still her name silent on the lips of others. During her free time, she would spend countless hours with her grandchildren, spoiling them rotten: a new book for Jaeden, a ride for Ely, a Sprite whenever someone fell sick, new pjs every Christmas, and after a trip to Baltimore, a Build-a-Bear for all.

Her legacy will carry on forever, a constant reminder to love one another and to care for all.

Teresa is survived by her loving husband, Steven; her daughter, Tanya May Finigan-LiBrizzi (Christa) of Baltimore, MD; and sons, Patrick James Samson (Cecily) of Ammon, ID, Joshua David Samson of Ammon, ID, and Adam Clifford Samson (Irina) of Idaho Falls, ID; Angie Racquel Hendricks (Shaun) of Ammon, ID; 15 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; as well as her seven siblings, Cal, Lee, Sandra, Roberta, Jesse, Angela, and Christopher.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Florance Henrie and Joseph and Helen Finigan; her parents, Louis and Betty Finigan; a nephew, Andrew Finigan; and her sweet baby boy, Travis William Samson, who we all know she is wasting no time mothering and making up for lost time.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the LDS Church located at 3000 Central Avenue, Ammon, ID 83406. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will proceed at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls where she will be laid to rest next to her son, Travis. An evening visitation is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 24, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, Ammon, ID 83406.