LELAND — Doris Caroline Sammarco, 94, peacefully passed away Friday, May 28, 2021.
Born July 24, 1926, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Walter Jensen and Caroline Heinlein, Doris is survived by her loving husband, Rudolph Orlando Sammarco; loving son, James Edward Sammon, and his wife, Juliet Sammon; stepdaughter, Anne Marie House; and grandchildren, Katherine Cortes, Jessica Anne House, Mallory Lynne House and James Rudy Sammon. Doris’s sister, Marion Pisano; and brother, Edward Jensen, preceded her in death.
Doris raised her son as a single mother before that was common, modeling unconditional love and resilience. She worked as a secretary for Bristol Babcock in New York City. When Doris met Rudy in 1972, they quickly became a couple and married the following year.
Their first home was in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. When Doris and Rudy retired, they sold that home and moved into their “weekend home” in the Poconos. With not enough to keep them entertained, they sold the Pocono home and moved to a 55+ development in Belvidere, New Jersey. But because they never thought of themselves as being over 55, they moved again to a single family home in the sunshine state of Florida. And although they loved it there, Florida was just too many miles from family, so they moved again to Virginia (to narrow the gap) and then somehow, moved again, finally settling in beautiful Leland. Anyone would think that with so many moves, these two were in the witness protection program! But actually, they were making and collecting friendships along the way. Doris took a genuine interest in almost everyone she has ever met and her memory is one to be admired! She is absolutely incredible! Right up until last week, Doris was still reaching out to friends from all over the states! That being said, Doris will be missed by so many.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 2, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 412 Ann St., Wilmington. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m. at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation Leland Chapel, 525 Village Road, Leland.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Share online condolences with the family at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation.
