Carolina Virginia Samper Pena

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 1945; she graduated at the top of her class from Universidad de Cartagena in 1969 and was the only female in her class. She and her husband, also a physician, immigrated to the United States in 1976. After completing additional training throughout the US, She and Max finally settled in Tampa in 1988. She was an accomplished Primary Care Physician, and Hematologist-Oncologist and served the community through her own medical practice for 27 years. She was an active member of the community and volunteered her time to many organizations, often serving on the board. She was an active member of the Colombian Volunteer Ladies of Tampa Bay (Board Member), The Tampa Bay Latin American Medical Society serving as the first female President in 2004, Club 15, served as President twice for Club Colombia of Tampa, US Colombian Medical Association (Board Member), ASOCOL, Hispanic Professional Woman’s Association (Board Member), Tampa Sister Cities, and served on the board of the MOSI Hispanic Scientist of the Year committee. She and her husband volunteered their time and expertise at a free clinic every month. She was essential in establishing the mobile Colombian Consulate in Tampa in order to better serve the Colombian citizens of the Bay Area and loaned her office space. She was named Physician of the Year in 2010 by the Tampa Bay Latin American Medical Society and Hispanic Heritage Professional of the Year in 1994. She will always be remembered as having a huge heart and giving nature, willing to help anyone in need.

She is survived by her loving husband and Partner of 51 years, Max; two children, Katherine (Andres Perilla) and Jeffrey (Jennifer); Five Grandchildren Mauricio, Marcela, Juliana, Jonathan, and Jacqueline; Siblings (Lupe, Gina, Beatriz, and John Jairo); and countless nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her sister Sybila and parents Beatriz and Manuel Samper. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Advent Health Carrollwood for their excellence in care and compassion in treating Carolina.

A celebration of life gathering for Carolina will be held Sunday, March 27, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Colombian Volunteer Ladies of Tampa Bay or the Tampa Bay Latin American Medical Society Scholarship Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gonzalezfuneral.com for the Samper Pena family.