Sam Cavanaugh 1992 ~ 2014 Sam Cavanaugh passed away suddenly at age 22. Sam is the beloved daughter of Don and Teresa Cavanaugh of Lethbridge and the adored big sister to Daniel and Thomas. She is also mourned by her large family and many dear friends including her Papa, Abram Rempel and aunts and uncles: Robert; Harry; Jim (Bev) and family; Dorothy Milligan (Darrell) and family; John (Jean) and family; Arthur (Shirley) and family. Sam had many beloved cousins but had a unique and special relationship with Stephanie Rempel, for which we are so thankful. Born and raised in Calgary, Sam moved to Lethbridge with her family as a teenager and graduated from Allan Watson School in 2010. From a young age Sam displayed both artistic and musical talents. At age 2 she could act out entire Disney movies and would perform for family and friends whenever possible. In grade 12 Sam won an award and scholarship for her visual art. A self-taught guitarist, Sam loved to write and perform songs she wrote but was also someone who enjoyed all sorts of karaoke. Sam's eclectic musical interests meant that she could perform for many people and find the genre they liked. In 2007, Sam and her cousin/best friend Stephanie sang at their grandparent's 50th Anniversary, a treasured memory for the whole family. Sam was especially close to her Oma and her passing in July 2014 was another difficult time for Sam. Sam had a charismatic personality and attracted friends with ease but she rarely saw herself as the amazing person others saw. Sam may not have seen herself as brave but we know the courage it took for her to be herself and to make her path in this world. We honor that bravery. Sam spent many summers at Southern Alberta Bible Camp and loved those times. After she was too old to be a camper she continued to volunteer to express her love of the camp and the staff. Sam also loved all animals so in high school she was blessed with a work experience at the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association that let her spend time around the horses there. As an adult, Sam adopted a beautiful German Shepherd, Jenna, who was tremendously important to her. There were many circles of friends in Sam's life but she was especially fond of the roller derby community. Her derby name, Crashanova, described her playing style quite well. We thank the friends in and out of derby who welcomed and affirmed Sam. Our family will remember Sam for her sense of humour, her stubbornness (commitment), and the loving, open nature that characterized her short life. We will also remember her as a person who loved to sleep, once falling asleep with an ice cream cone in her hand, and as a person blessed with such a photogenic face that we have no bad pictures! Sam should have been in Hollywood and we are glad that as a child she made two trips to California, once to Disneyland and the other time to help on a mission trip to L.A. with her church youth group. In 2008 Sam was baptized into the E Free Church and chose her faith freely. She participated as a small group member for many years, as well as being program staff. We are comforted in our knowledge that she is surrounded in love and is with her dear Oma. Besides Oma, Margaret Rempel, who recently passed away, Sam was predeceased by paternal grandparents Lewis and Olga Cavanaugh. Our hearts are broken and we miss our dear child more than we can ever express but we are comforted in the knowledge that Sam was loved and appreciated by so many. We thank everyone who has reached out to share special stories because in those stories Sam lives on. For those who wish to honor her passing with a donation we ask that you donate to Teen Challenge Alberta, Box 1000 Station A, Calgary, AB, T2H 3B7 (www.teenchallenge.ca) so that other families can be supported through their addiction journeys. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00PM on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at the EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF LETHBRIDGE, 4717 - 24 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, with Pastor Jeremy Light, officiating.