Susan Merle Samson

-Edith Wharton

Susan was born in Chicago on December 19th, 1944. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was two years old and she lived there until she moved to Berkeley to attend the University. At UC Berkeley, Susan received a BA in 1966, a Masters in Education in 1967, a Masters in Asian Studies in 1975, and a Masters in Public Health in 1977. Her Masters in Asian Studies thesis focused on the concepts of traditional Javanese native medicine in Indonesia, where she lived from 1968-1969.

In addition to being a loving Mother, Susan dedicated her work and life to improving the lives of patients and medical practices. She served as the Manager of the Epidemiology Department at the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank in San Francisco from 1982-1995. Her work was critical in tracking the transmission of AIDS through blood transfusions. Up until her passing, Susan also served as an active research advocate to the UCSF Breast Oncology and PS-ON programs. She brought an extensive background in epidemiology research, clinical trials administration, current good manufacturing practice standards, and FDA regulatory requirements. In addition, she reviewed grants for Susan G. Komen, California Breast Cancer Research Program, Avon and Spore programs.

Susan embraced experimentation in both her personal and professional life. She was an amazing cook who rarely followed a recipe and would invent her own culinary creations. She had a massive collection of spices and fine quality scarves from around the world.

Incredibly bright, she valued what she called a “diversity of perspective” and would always seek out different viewpoints or ways of solving a problem. Her quest for a variety of perspectives was evident in the fact that she had dozens of close and diverse friends from all walks of life.

Susan was an adventurer and world traveler and loved exploring different cultures and cuisines. She was also an amazing writer. One was honored to get a speech or letter written by Susan, where her words cut to the core of who someone is.

Susan was described as a warrior and paladin, not only because she advocated for the rights of cancer patients, including herself, but because she always advocated for her family and friends, encouraging them to go for the best in life. She was always there in good times and bad for everyone she cared about. She loved actively and her family was paramount to her.

Susan is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Jennifer and David Walsey, her son and daughter-in-law Aaron and Rebecca Samson, her six grandchildren, Samson, Gabriel, Ada, Joselyn, Sydney and Cooper, her younger brother Allen Berkowitz, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family members who loved her dearly. She is also remembered by her dear friends, colleagues and fellow advocates.

Susan was preceded in death by her father, Henry Berkowitz, a Dachau Holocaust survivor, her mother, Evelyn Berkowitz and her dear sister, Sandi Spiegel.

Just a few hours before her death, Susan was surrounded by her children and grandchildren and repeated the words “legacy and community” over and over again. While she may no longer be with us, her legacy and community will indeed thrive.

Susan’s life was celebrated at Eden Memorial Groman Park where she was interred on January 30th, 2023. There will be a private Memorial in Berkeley on March 5th, 2023.

In lieu of flowers or other gestures, those wishing to contribute to Susan’s memory may donate to the following local organization which seeks to provide a cure for a disease with which Susan’s first grandson is afflicted.:

Project Bartonella

https://lymeconnection.org/support_and_resources/project-bartonella.html