Cecilia Cruz Samson

Cecilia “Cecille” Cruz Samson passed away on Sunday, January 18th, 2026 at 7:30am at 74 years old, peacefully in her home in Brick, NJ. Cecilia Cruz Samson was born October 28th, 1951 in Pasay, Manila, Philippines, to Consuelo and Vincente Cruz. She was in a family of 9 siblings. After graduating from the Philippine Women’s University in 1972. Cecilia migrated to Canada and graduated in the University of Ottawa in 1974. She married to her beloved husband Lorenzo Samson on August 4th, 1976, and was by his side for 34 years until his passing in 2010. Together they moved to New York City and lived with her sister-in-law Consolacion “Chita” Samson. They had a daughter, Heather, in 1983, and 3 years later moved to Brick, NJ. In 1989, her son, Travis, was born. Cecilia pursued a career as a Registered Dietitian for many years, working at Community Medical Center and continued to learn even after she went on long-term disability due to Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Cecilia really cared for everybody deeply and continued to live with kindness and sophistication. She would constantly give gifts to her family in the Philippines. In 2012, she lost her eye sight due to Plaquenil. She was an incredibly intelligent and wise woman, keeping her wits until the very end. She memorized everything including everyone's birthdays. Always putting forth her best effort, she was the proudest mother and grandmother. During her prime years, she truly enjoyed cooking for others, hosting parties, and accommodating guests. Even legally blind, she would try her hardest to use the voice equipment for Facebook and text messages. She loved her dog, Sochi, very much and would make her meals. Cecilia loved K-dramas, watching professional ice skating, and listening to the news. She attended church regularly during the years she could see and virtually after that. She even loved traveling the world when she couldn’t see. Often visiting her sisters and brothers in the Philippines and her family in Ottawa, Canada. She deeply loved her grandchildren, Gemma and Liam, and showered them with gifts and love. They called her Nana.

Cecilia was survived by her daughter, Heather Lynne Samson Lascano, 42, her son, Travis Lee Samson, 36, her granddaughter, Gemma Elisse Lascano, 23, her grandson, Liam Theodore Lascano, 11, and her sisters, Maria Teresa “Gina” Cruz Go, Adoracion “Doris” Cruz Sinfuego, Maria Consuelo “Connie” Cruz Camacho, and Maria Theresa “Tet” Cu Cruz. Travis helped her day in and day out for the past couple years, and even more so in her past couple weeks as she became dependent, on hospice, and on oxygen due to pericardial effusion, being 66 lbs, and possible lung cancer. She manifested living til the age of 74, just like her mother, Consuelo Cruz.

Services will be held Saturday, February 21st, 2026. 10:00AM Committal prayers and Inurnment services at Ocean County Memorial Park in Tom’s River, NJ. 11:30AM Celebration of Life at Park Pavilion in Seaside Park, NJ.

Cecilia will truly be missed by all who knew her, as she was loved by so many family, friends, and loved ones. Her memory will live on in the hearts of Heather, Travis, Gemma, Liam, and their entire family. May Cecilia rest in eternal peace.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com