Obituary of Mary H. Sampa

Mary Henretta Sampa was born Mary Washington on September 8, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Julia Washington Smith. She was adopted that same year by her parents April and Lila Bell Washington. Mary was called home to be by God’s side on Monday July 19, 2021, at the Fulton Commons Care Center in East Meadow, New York. Mary was known throughout her life as a survivor, optimist and informal counselor to many. Mary was baptized at the Zion Baptist Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. As a child Mary had experienced and survived two physically and emotionally traumatic events. When she was three years old, she suffered third degree burns. At the age of four she was struck by a car. Mary was married to Clifton William Logan on October 5, 1939, at the Zion Baptist Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. From their union three children were born. Laverne, Rosemary and Clifton Jr. Their union lasted for 23 years. Mary married Anthony H. Sampa on September 4, 1964, in Queens, New York. He passed away on March 22, 1986, from a stroke. Mary graduated from Lincoln High School in Jersey City, New Jersey in June 1939. She completed an associate degree in the 1970s. Mary worked as an Executive Administrative Assistant for many years in the Department of the Navy office in New York City. In the 1980s she became the Personnel Manager at the Merchant Marines Academy in Great Neck, New York under the Maritime Administration. She was so well respected and admired by the staff and servicemen, when she was going to retire, they tried to convince her not to leave. Mary was a very spiritual person. She was a member of three different churches throughout her lifetime. First was the Zion Baptist church in Jersey City, New Jersey. Second was the Saint Albans Congregational Church in Saint Albans, Queens. Also, the First Presbyterian Church in Iselin, New Jersey. Mary was loved and respected by her family and friends who used to seek her out for advice and counsel throughout the years. Mary was very charitable. She gave often to several organizations including Saint Jude’s, Christian children’s fund, and the Jimmy Carter Center as well as others dealing with the medical help and assistance for children’s health. As a person who describes herself as more of a loner who did not mind being by herself, she can also be gregarious and the center of attention just by being there. People naturally gravitated to her, and she can talk to anyone and put them at ease. Mary loved music and dancing. Her favorite music is jazz, swing and the timeless pop standards. In the 1950s she and her first husband Clifton would go to clubs in NYC and saw some of the biggest acts of the time in live performances including Billie holiday, Billy Eckstein, Sammy Davis Jr., and many others. Mary was preceded in death by her mother Julia Smith; Her parents April and Lila Washington: her first husband Clifton Logan and her second husband Anthony H. Sampa. Her son Clifton Logan Jr.: her brother Benjamin Allen and sister Lila Belle Allen Graham; her niece Juliette, her nephew Benny Allen and nephew Bobby. Mary is survived by her two daughters Laverne N. Logan and Rosemary A. Richardson: six grandchildren, Asa M. Bacon, Anthony H. Bacon, Tori Richardson, Tia Richardson, Lamani Richardson and Tyrus Richardson; great grand’s, Shakeera Bacon and Naquaisah James; great- great grands, Gabriel James, Elias James and Kennedi Bella Ricardson; her nieces, Mary Helen Aiken, Gloria Felder, Doris Buie Sherman, Tama Ridley, Tanea Greco; nephews, Javon Allen, John Buie, Troy Ridley Jr. and many others.