SAMPSON, Adeline Verna Niganiwina Sampson

With sadness we honour the life and legacy of our mother and grandmother Adeline Sampson, who passed away peacefully in Mindemoya on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 with her family by her side.
A woman whose hands, heart, and spirit helped shape our families and our community for generations.

For decades, Adeline served Sheshegwaning with dedication as our Home Support Worker, caring for our Elders and families with quiet strength, kindness and dignity. Long before retirement, and even long after she stepped back from work twenty years ago, she remained someone we all relied on, steady, capable and full of humour.

She walked through life side-by-side with her husband, Jesse, until his passing in 2017.

Together they raised a strong family Libby, Sandra, Virginia, Les, Blair, Cynthia and Gloria.

They cherished 12 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

Gramma and Grandpa’s home was the center of our lives, hosting family gatherings and birthday parties in the backyard. It was full of laughter, stories, fiddle music and the steady rhythm of Gramma’s knitting needles and sewing machine.

Gramma Adeline was never one to step into the spotlight, but when the community called on her to speak, she always stepped forward. She offered many invocations at powwows, gatherings and community events, grounding us in gratitude, humility and her deep faith. Her voice helped open countless ceremonies, meetings and feasts in a good way.

And then, of course, there was Gramma’s shop, a place of warmth and magic. From that small space came quilts stitched with love for all of her grandkids and great grandkids, homemade crafts, knit hats and mittens for every little one and socks that warmed countless feet in the coldest seasons. Many of us still have one of her famous Minion hats, tucked away in our winter bins or hanging by the door, always ready to bring a smile. Those creations weren’t just clothing – they were gifts of comfort, identity and care.

Gramma Adeline could also be stern. She told the truth plain and simple. She had a sharp tongue for the people she cared for and loved most, and man, did she love us. She had standards, and we knew them. When the boys got into their usual shenanigans, or when any of us weren’t behaving quite up to her expectations, she would get exasperated, shake her head and call us “monkey devils.” And now, instead of feeling chastised, we wear the name like a badge of honour and proudly wear it on shirts and sweaters and car decals. A logo that immortalizes her humour and her spirit, bringing a smile every time we see it.

But we all knew, behind every one of Gramma’s comments was care, behind every scolding was pride and behind every joke was her unmistakable love. Strict when she needed to be, loving in every stitch she sewed, teachings in every prayer she offered, Gramma Adeline leaves behind in all of us a legacy of strength, generosity and deep community love.

Family and friends will gather
at the Sheshegwaning Community Centre
Visitation on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 6pm
Funeral Service Friday, December 5, 2025 at 1pm.
Cremation to follow.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Adeline Verna (Niganiwina) Sampson, please visit our floral store.