Late Township Employee was 'Inspiration' to Friends, Co-Workers

Township employee Dorothy Samartino was a "ray of sunshine" whose battle against breast cancer was an inspiration to everyone around her, according to friends and co-workers.

Samartino, who was Moorestown's tax collector, passed away Sunday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia from complications related to her illness. She was 48.

Karen Maltbie, secretary to the township manager and a close friend of Samartino's, said her death came as a shock. Samartino never complained about her illness, never let on how sick she was, Maltbie said.

"She was very strong," said Maltbie. "She always greeted people with a big huge smile ... We're going to miss her terribly."

Maltbie and township clerk Patty Hunt, along with others, planned "Moorestown Night" at Campbell’s Field—home of the Camden Riversharks—last year in Samartino's honor. The event raised money for Samartino’s participation in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk in Philadelphia.

"Watching her go through her battle has been an inspiration, not just for me, but for everyone," said Hunt. "She will be sorely, sorely missed."

Samartino is survived by her husband Gordon; children Michael Anthony and Melissa Anne; parents Mary and Robert Jefferson; parents-in-law Roger and Evelyn; brother Robert (wife Susan); sisters Margaret, Donna, and Catherine (husband James); brothers-in-law Roger, Steven, and Bryan; sisters-in-law Linda and Debbie; and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 26) at the Mount Laurel Home for Funerals (212 Ark Road, Mount Laurel). The funeral liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Saint John Neumann Roman Catholic Church, 5601 Walton Ave., Mount Laurel. Final disposition will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Samartino's memory may be made to Food for the Poor at www.foodforthepoor.org or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

Some information courtesy of Legacy.com.