Peacefully at Ian Anderson House, cancer hospice on Monday, August 13. Samantha Jane Littler, beloved daughter of Helen and Ted Littler of Oakville, cherished sister of Victoria Littler and John Riedl of Toronto. Much loved Auntie Sam to Sophie Riedl. A wonderful aunt, niece and cousin to her extended family in the USA, and in the UK. Adored partner of Yves Boivin. Dear to former husband Chris Wright. Most importantly a devoted and exceptional Mum to Mathew and Elliott Littler-Wright.
Samantha was born in Chester, England and came to Canada at the age of 2 when her father began a new job in Scarborough. She grew up in Burlington and graduated from Lester B Pearson High School. From ‘83 to ‘88 she attended Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Child Studies.
After graduation Sam worked in childcare starting out as an assistant in the classroom and working her way up to a senior role as a Supervisor at an Early Years Centre in Rexdale. She worked with extraordinary patience, love and creativity with countless children for over 27 years. She touched the lives of so many. Some of her favorite stories were running into 19 year old Rexdale teenagers who had once been in her care as small children.
Samantha loved art, ballet, travelling and cooking. She excelled in the kitchen and loved nothing more than whipping up a culinary extravaganza for her two boys to whom she was devoted. In 1986 a summer trip to Dennis in Cape Cod created new and life long friendships with Diane, Christina and Laura and for 30 years she vacationed each summer on the Cape and brought her two boys from the time they were tiny toddlers until they were full grown. She loved the simple joys of watching kids on the beach and always remarked that those afternoons and evenings on the Cape were some of her happiest memories.
Sam's passion for ballet made her a devoted subscriber to the National Ballet of Canada and each season she would appreciate the new productions and old favorites of the ballet's repertoire.
It goes without saying that Sam loved children – she rejoiced in their creativity, their enthusiasm and boundless kindness. So many were touched by her love; among them, Meredith, Melissa, James, Daniel, Kendall, Colin, Natalie, Charlotte, Clint, Brooke, Jacob, Georgia, Liam, Sophie and more recently Alina, Emma, Charlotte and Addison.
When her breast cancer was diagnosed in 2017 Sam was determined to fight. Through almost two years of seemingly endless treatments and procedures she remained strong and committed to living her best life even in the face of her illness.
Throughout her 19 month journey with cancer Samantha was so thankful for the exceptional support she received from the many doctors, nurses and medical staff at the Oakville Hospital, Credit Valley and Trillium Health Centre. Especially the dedication and care from Dr. Nicole Callan, Dr. John Gapski and Dr. Mehdi Shahideh. She valued the caring, always upbeat and dedicated team at the Oakville Hospital Cancer Clinic. Plus her friends Tenley and Aleta at the Oakville Hospital Foundation could always be counted on to make the day just a little better.
Samantha's family would also like to thank the remarkable staff at Ian Anderson House where she was lovingly cared for in her final days.
Sam was as compassionate in death as she had been in life and through her thoughtful donation to Gift of Life, two people had their eyesight restored.
Samantha is survived by her parents, her sister Victoria (John Riedl) their daughter Sophie and her amazing sons Mathew and Elliott.
A private cremation has already taken place. A celebration of Samantha's life will be held in the Fall.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Oakville Hospital Foundation or Ian Anderson House.
Samantha was born in Chester, England and came to Canada at the age of 2 when her father began a new job in Scarborough. She grew up in Burlington and graduated from Lester B Pearson High School. From ‘83 to ‘88 she attended Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Child Studies.
After graduation Sam worked in childcare starting out as an assistant in the classroom and working her way up to a senior role as a Supervisor at an Early Years Centre in Rexdale. She worked with extraordinary patience, love and creativity with countless children for over 27 years. She touched the lives of so many. Some of her favorite stories were running into 19 year old Rexdale teenagers who had once been in her care as small children.
Samantha loved art, ballet, travelling and cooking. She excelled in the kitchen and loved nothing more than whipping up a culinary extravaganza for her two boys to whom she was devoted. In 1986 a summer trip to Dennis in Cape Cod created new and life long friendships with Diane, Christina and Laura and for 30 years she vacationed each summer on the Cape and brought her two boys from the time they were tiny toddlers until they were full grown. She loved the simple joys of watching kids on the beach and always remarked that those afternoons and evenings on the Cape were some of her happiest memories.
Sam's passion for ballet made her a devoted subscriber to the National Ballet of Canada and each season she would appreciate the new productions and old favorites of the ballet's repertoire.
It goes without saying that Sam loved children – she rejoiced in their creativity, their enthusiasm and boundless kindness. So many were touched by her love; among them, Meredith, Melissa, James, Daniel, Kendall, Colin, Natalie, Charlotte, Clint, Brooke, Jacob, Georgia, Liam, Sophie and more recently Alina, Emma, Charlotte and Addison.
When her breast cancer was diagnosed in 2017 Sam was determined to fight. Through almost two years of seemingly endless treatments and procedures she remained strong and committed to living her best life even in the face of her illness.
Throughout her 19 month journey with cancer Samantha was so thankful for the exceptional support she received from the many doctors, nurses and medical staff at the Oakville Hospital, Credit Valley and Trillium Health Centre. Especially the dedication and care from Dr. Nicole Callan, Dr. John Gapski and Dr. Mehdi Shahideh. She valued the caring, always upbeat and dedicated team at the Oakville Hospital Cancer Clinic. Plus her friends Tenley and Aleta at the Oakville Hospital Foundation could always be counted on to make the day just a little better.
Samantha's family would also like to thank the remarkable staff at Ian Anderson House where she was lovingly cared for in her final days.
Sam was as compassionate in death as she had been in life and through her thoughtful donation to Gift of Life, two people had their eyesight restored.
Samantha is survived by her parents, her sister Victoria (John Riedl) their daughter Sophie and her amazing sons Mathew and Elliott.
A private cremation has already taken place. A celebration of Samantha's life will be held in the Fall.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Oakville Hospital Foundation or Ian Anderson House.
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