In Memoriam: Lifelong Red Bank Resident, RBC Grad, Teacher, Ginny Samaras, 89

Lifelong Red Bank resident, Virginia K. “Ginny” Samaras, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 11, after a brief illness. She was 89.

One of three children, Ginny was born in New Brunswick on Jan. 27, 1936 to William J. and Virginia Gold Kehoe. Raised in Red Bank, she attended and graduated Red Bank Catholic (RBC) and continued her education at Kean College, followed by earning her Master’s degree in Education and English at Monmouth University.

Ginny taught for more than 20 years at St. James Grammar School and was also an English professor at Monmouth University for several years.

“A devout Catholic, Ginny was a life-long parishioner of St. James RC Church in Red Bank. Extremely proud of her Irish heritage, Ginny had a fun, outgoing personality, was no-nonsense, and was strong in her opinions.

“Thoughtful and extremely generous, she was always ready to laugh, was easy to tease, and she loved a little ribbing or being the brunt of a joke. She was talented with handiwork and did beautiful needlepoint and knitting.

“Loving the written word, Ginny was an avid reader and read at least a book a week. A member of the American Contract Bridge League, Ginny relished every opportunity she had to play bridge; she absolutely loved playing bridge, playing it five to six times a week and traveling everywhere to do so.

“Above all else, Ginny was devoted to her family and her five cherished children were her proudest achievement.”
Loved ones of Ginny Samaras in her obituary

Ginny is predeceased by: her parents; her beloved husband, Peter J. Samaras (1990); her daughter, Marianne Cittadino; her brother, William J. Kehoe, Jr.; and her son-in-law, W. David Bauer.

Ginny is survived by: her devoted children, Virginia S. Bauer (Don Steckroth), Carol Coleman (William Coleman), Cynthia Barham and Peter J. Samaras (Tina), her son-in-law, Michael Cittadino; her cherished grandchildren, David Bauer, Stephen J. Bauer, Jacqueline Bauer Seremetis, Michael Biafore, Mark Biafore, Alexandra Barham, Leslie Barham Widdis, William C. Barham, Christine Cittadino, Jennifer Cittadino and Peter M. Samaras; her beloved 12 great-grandchildren; and her loving sister, Linda Kehoe, of California.

A memorial will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. James RC Church, 94 Broad St., Red Bank. The Mass of Christian Burial will immediately commence at 10:30.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ginny’s memory to St. James Parish, 94 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07701; or, to Easter Seals, 1215 Main Street, Asbury Park, NJ 07712.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home