Obituary of Emily Sampson, New Waterford

Heaven has gained another angel. It is with extreme sadness that I announce the passing of my beautiful, sweet mother, Emily Sampson, on April 8, 2025 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, at the tender age of 84.

She was born in New Waterford on Sept. 17, 1940 to the late Mary Blanche and Ronald (Rannie) Muise. To me, she was the best mother in the whole world. Since she was a young girl, she worked retail at several stores including Gaffins, King St. Dairy, Neighborhood Dairy and finished her career at Pharmasave. All stores were in New Waterford. Wherever she worked, the kids would call her "ma" because they loved her and she made the best pizza burgers. She loved her fiddle music and actually performed on T.V. with the Cape Breton Barn Dance. 

Growing up, she taught me how to drive and we had so many laughs over the years. She supported my love for animals because I would bring stray cats home for pets. I also had a hamster, a budgie and finally a dog, Pierre. He lived until he was 18 because he was so loved by her. 

She would be the first mom to load up all the neighborhood kids in the back of the truck to take us roller skating, to the beach or anywhere else we wanted to go. She was just that kind of mom. 

She was married to my dad, Andrew (Brother) Sampson for 39 years. They had a great and loving marriage. She was lucky to have a great man. After my dad died, she was fortunate to find another great man, James Nemis. They met playing darts at the New Waterford Pensioners Club and it was an instant connection. They loved each other and enjoyed all their great laughs and memories together for 18 years. 

Ma was famous for her homemade waffles and carrot cookies. Emily was the Queen of salt and pepper shakers and had a collection of 400 pair. She also liked her get-togethers for their birthdays with Frances, Linda and Helen. 

She is survived by me, her daughter, Ronda (Glen) Chiasson; her loving fiance, James Nemis and his family; several nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by my dad, Andrew; sister, Anita; brother, Ronald; and several in-laws. 

As per her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or funeral service. A private graveside service will be held in St. Agnes cemetery at a later date. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, New Waterford, where expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Donations in her memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Diabetes Canada, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, or the Nova Scotia SPCA - Cape Breton Shelter.