Thinking of Sam every day (especially when listening to Eminem's "Lose Yourself" or reading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"). Sending love to her and to her beautiful family.

Thinking of you Sam every day
Love Auntie Kris

It's taken me a long time to be able to try to put into words what Sam meant to me and how utterly devastated I am at the loss of such an amazing, intelligent, kind, funny young woman. I think about Sam every day. Sam and I shared a lot of similar struggles, I related with her from the second I met her and we could both understand what each other was going through in a difficult time in life. Sam helped me through so many tough moments, and I am forever grateful for our time spent living together and the rest of the time I got to know Sam and spend time with her. She is an unforgettable person and I know in another life we would have remained long time friends. Sam I love and miss you and think of your family often. 

When I think of Samantha what first comes to mind is her reading a book on our checkered couch in Bridgehampton, her long legs curled underneath her, leaning into the mountain of pillows, happily lost in her newest read. Wise beyond her years, she was only too happy to talk about books, ably guiding me as a new teacher on the classics and the most recent trends that were must-haves in my third grade library. I can also see her playfully teasing me and Nancy as we would pore over our collection of weekly entertainment tabloids in their den, as she sat across from us consuming far more serious texts. And I can still hear her warm, infectious laugh and picture her beautiful, bright smile as we took our evening walks and bike rides down Horsemill Road, built bonfires on Mecox Beach, or went tubing. My memories of Sam are among the most treasured of the years my family spent in Bridgehampton. Our lives were better for having Sammi C in them. Rest in peace, sweet Sam.

Sam was one of the funniest people I have ever met. She left many notes to us guides. One I've kept in my work binder ever since, and now, I'm so grateful for it. 

What a beautiful human. Sam was radiant. Her smile touched something deep within me. She was intelligent and insightful, so kind and shockingly hilarious. I'm so grateful to have known such a beautiful soul.  

I met Sam at Treehouse where I was working as the director.  She was by far one of my all-time favorite students and became a close friend.  Sam was part of a special community that blossomed during the start of the pandemic.  I grew especially close to this bunch, in particular Sam.  She was by far one of the most brilliant individuals I had ever met. Her writing was beautiful, and it always amazed me.  Sam was witty, unique, and compassionate.  She quickly took on the role of tutor for other TreeHouse students.  While she had zero problem helping with homework, getting Sam to type up notes and submit her timesheet was another story lol.  Sam lit up in her position as a tutor and she was able to provide heartfelt empathy to the other students. She had a natural touch for helping people, and an innate ability to hold space while providing genuineness.  Qualities that we knew would make her an outstanding wilderness therapist.  I know in some lifetime, although I wish it was this one, Sam will get her chance to fulfill this goal. 
Sam kept me on my toes quite a bit while still providing great comfort and laughs. It was never a dull moment with Sam, and I loved that about her.  I could list off hundreds of favorite memories with Sam that capture her perfectly.  The one coming to mind is Sam conquering her Prescott College orientation. She participated in a 3 week backpacking trip, and while we thought for sure she would try and evacuate the first day, she completed the entire course. I was so proud of Sam and her resiliency.  I missed her immensly during those 3- weeks. Sam found a special place in my heart, as I know she did with so many of us. She was a beautiful gift for the short amount of time we had with her.  I will forever keep her close to my heart and continue to share her story with those I meet.  Sending so much love to Nancy and Rich, family, and friends ❤️

Sam and I lived together at Treehouse for over a year. I was her "academic coach" but could offer little in the way of scholastic support; she was brilliant. What I did contribute was a new brand of motivation. With Sam around I could always count on an engaging conversation and we grew to be friends rather quickly. She had a unique way of making me question my own beliefs on the world and  we became dueling stones on which to sharpen the others' wit. 

One of my favorite days spent with Sam was hiking around the wolf-creek falls area. It was Sam, myself, and Mike, who we barely knew. I was the only one who brought water, so there was one nalgene between the three of us. We became lost almost immediately as my vague idea of the waterfall's location had us scrambling down steep banks, crossing streams, and bushwhacking. Sam literally rolled down the hills, fell into the creeks, and went face first through most of the brush. For someone so fastidious about cleanliness, she had no qualms with being on the ground. She drank all our water rather quickly and refused to go on regularly but always got back up. I'll never forget her sitting in the dirt halfheartedly saying, "Blake I won't go any further, just leave me here to die."  That was the dynamic of our relationship: Sam saying  'no more,' me pushing her a little further, and both of us laughing the whole time. She was one of the toughest people I've ever met and when we finally made it to the waterfall that day, she walked under it and took a long, deep drink (despite my warning about giardia)!

Sam was unique, intelligent, kind, and irreplaceable. She taught me about patience, compassion, and fortitude. I would gladly spend more days lost in the woods with her and am grateful for the few that we had. I'll carry her spirit with me and frequently ask 'Sam's take' on the substance of my life. My deepest condolences to all of her friends and family, it was such a gift to know her. Thank you Rich and Nancy!

I met Sam back in August 2014 on our pre-orientation hiking trip for Dartmouth. Incidentally, we had both signed up for Hiking 2 but had ended up on an especially challenging Hiking 3 trip; we bonded as we straggled behind the rest of the group and self-deprecatingly laughed at ourselves.  I instantly liked Sam’s warm, laid-back and kind personality, and found myself being uncharacteristically open with her.  I appreciated those qualities even more as the years went on; Sam had no airs about her and was simply a genuine person, which was refreshing at Dartmouth. The beginning of college—specifically that hiking trip, and the whole of freshman year—was such a stressful and anxious time for me, and Sam’s presence – funny,  sweet, genuine, at times almost whimsical – provided more comfort and solace than I can say. I specifically remember move-in night of freshman year, Sam and I sitting in my dorm talking about our hopes for college. She made me feel so much less alone. And as time went on, and she faced challenges, what I always found remarkable about Sam is that she never lost that kindness and generosity; even in the midst of her struggles, she always wanted to know how I was doing, how my classes were going, and (on a funnier note) was always trying to set me up with someone or make people feel welcomed around her.  She was also one of the most naturally intelligent people I've ever met, and a beautiful writer to boot.  I will always be so incredibly grateful to have met Sam through that fortunate mistaken hiking assignment, and for her friendship. Her passing is a loss for the world and my thoughts are with the Cooper family. 

With love,
Caroline Berens

Dear Cooper Family:
I have been reflecting with friends lately about the extraordinary person that Sam was. I met her during our freshman fall at Dartmouth through mutual friends and we clicked immediately. During the loneliest time, Sam was a bright light. I cherish every memory with her, especially the most mundane-seeming moments -- such as quick dining hall dinners or late nights spent studying in the library -- when a close friend is what I needed to feel at home. She was brilliant, witty, hilarious, a supportive listener, and the kindest soul. Sam was one of those rare, selfless people who genuinely cared to ask more about the people around her than she wanted to talk about herself. I will never forget her and the way she impacted me; what an honor it was to cross paths with her in this life.
My thoughts are with you all.
Much love, Annette 

Dear Nancy, Rich, Jake & Charlotte,
I know there are few words I can write that will bring you comfort or ease your pain, but I'd like to try. The moments I had with Sam are some that I will always cherish - it's hard for me to explain, but Sam had a way of making people feel seen. I looked up to Sam, as Charlotte's loyal older sister, but also as someone who was inherently cool. Not in a flashy way, but in the understated way with which she carried herself. I always wondered how someone so witty, so reflective, so strikingly beautiful and brilliantly smart didn't feel the need to flaunt it... now THAT was cool. I mentioned how smart Sam was; sometimes when you're that smart, there comes complexity. I know how she struggled, but I recently read a Milan Kundera quote that made me think of her: "The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more truthful & real they become. Conversely, the absolute absence of burden causes man to be lighter than air, to soar into heights, take leave of the earth and his earthly being... What then, shall we choose? Weight or lightness?" Sam's life was real and truthful and earthly. My hope now, is that she experiences the light. She was earnest, humble, goofy, timeless and she loved you all so much. Hold on to those moments you loved: sibling rap battles, walks with Dakota to the docks late at night, watching Sam curled up with a book. They will add up and make you feel closer to whole. Sam was a gifted writer and voracious reader, so I made a donation, on behalf of the Cooper Family, in memory of Sam, to the NY Public Library's Cullman Center for Scholars & Writers. The inscription "In Memory of Samantha E. Cooper, from the Cooper Family. For Sam: A voracious reader, a quiet leader and a brilliant, witty mind. Love is the voice under all silences," will appear as a bookplate inside a book circulating the NYPL to be held & read by thousands. May her memory be a blessing. I love you all so dearly. To Sam. <3 Char B

I first met Sam when she came to our home to pick up her sister Charlotte. She was in high school then. Sam breezed into the room and she reminded me of a ballet dancer. Graceful, and such an ethereal beauty. She was so smart and funny and read voraciously. She had a love of writing and a brilliant mind (my children always said that, and how compassionate, and deep). This dark haired beauty, with the face of an angel will always be remembered by those who met her. Our deepest sympathies and our love go out to her incredible loving family at this time of such terrible loss.

“You’d have to have personally been trapped and felt flames to really understand a terror way beyond falling.” Sam had true artistry in her and I wish I had spent more time with her to see it.  I only knew her young but what I did know was kindness, humility, gentleness and an undeniable spirit for adventure. It’s no surprise her memorial was full of people as inspired and brilliant and sincere (and of course funny) as I always believed her to be. I’ll miss what I missed of her and make sure the ones I love close now know it.


Dear Nancy, Rich, Jake & Charlotte,
I know there are few words I can write that will bring you comfort or ease your pain, but I'd like to try. The moments I had with Sam are some that I will always cherish - it's hard for me to explain, but Sam had a way of making people feel seen. I looked up to Sam, as Charlotte's loyal older sister, but also as someone who was inherently cool. Not in a flashy way, but in the understated way with which she carried herself. I always wondered how someone so witty, so reflective, so strikingly beautiful and brilliantly smart didn't feel the need to flaunt it... THAT was cool. I mentioned how smart Sam was; sometimes when you're that smart, there comes complexity. I know how she struggled, but I recently read a Milan Kundera quote that made me think of her: "The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more truthful and real they become. Conversely, the absolute absence of burden causes man to be lighter than air, to soar into heights, take leave of the earth and his earthly being... What then, shall we choose? Weight or lightness?" Sam's life was real and truthful and earthly. My hope now, is that she experiences the light. She was earnest, humble, goofy, timeless and she loved you all so much. Hold on to those moments you loved: sibling rap battles, walks with Dakota to the docks late at night, watching Sam curled up with a book on the beach. They will add up and make you feel closer to whole. Sam was a gifted writer and voracious reader, so I made a donation, on behalf of the Cooper Family, in memory of Sam, to the NY Public Library's Cullman Center for Scholars & Writers. The inscription "In Memory of Samantha E. Cooper, from the Cooper Family. For Sam: A voracious reader, a quiet leader & a brilliant, witty mind. Love is the voice under all silences," will appear as a bookplate inside a book circulating the NYPL to be held and read by thousands. May her memory be a blessing. I love you all so dearly. Char B

Samantha  wrote this essay on a quick drive to the beach, refused to change a word of it despite the many objections of her school's college counseling advisors, and finally got them to concede to letting her submit it....the essay was just so Sam.



Samantha was a joy to be around. We were in a class together where we got to raft down some of the most beautiful rivers in the South West. Sam could always make the people around her laugh and she brought a lot of depth and intention to the class community and the work that she did. Seeing her confidence grow through out the class was really meaningful and I am thankful to have gotten to experience that with her!

Sam was in one of my online classes at Prescott College. She always had a kind, compassionate and warm presence towards all, even though a computer screen. So grateful that our paths crossed when they did! 
Sam and I often talked about our hopes to work in a wilderness therapy program in the future. 
I’m sending my condolences and love to her loved ones and family during this time. 

Samantha/Sam was a student in one of my favorite Prescott College courses that I've taught - in the fall of 2020.  We went rafting in the Grand Canyon and on the San Juan River.  I will forever remember her brilliance - she was an intelligent and beautiful writer and thinker and a wonderful community member. I so valued her insights and perspectives. I am sending her family and friends and all those whose lives she touched so much love. I am forever grateful to have spent time with her. 

Samantha was in one of my classes a few years ago we went rafting in the Grand Canyon and down the San Juan river, the first time she was learning to paddle captain she ended up falling right out of the boat on the first bump! We laughed so hard together and kept floating downstream, she took it like a champ! such fond memory, you’ll be missed Sam 

Samantha was a student in one of my online classes this spring. She was a pleasure to get to know. I'm so sorry to hear about her death. 
May peace be with you.

Vicky Young, PhD

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Samantha Emily Cooper

11 juin 1996 – 30 janvier 2022

Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services

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