Samantha Isabella McCooey

Samantha Isabella McCooey, 27, of Pleasant Hill, California, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025. Born on January 12, 1998, in Walnut Creek, Samantha was a bright light whose creativity, kindness, and courage touched everyone who knew her.

She is the beloved daughter of Christopher and Christina McCooey and the devoted sister of Christian, Joshua, and Hadassah. Samantha’s warmth and joyful laughter brought comfort and happiness to her family and friends throughout her life.

A gifted artist and dancer, Samantha loved painting, drawing, swimming, fencing, Tae Kwon Do, baking and music. At age eleven, she contracted viral encephalitis and lived courageously with the refractory epilepsy and the multiple autoimmune disorders it left behind for sixteen years. She was finally diagnosed with Autoimmune Encephalitis in 2024. Despite daily obstacles and unrelenting seizures, Samantha’s optimism never faded—she greeted each morning with a smile and gratitude for the blessings of the day.

She especially loved spending time with her family and going on road trips. Though her illness prevented her from returning to dance and performing herself, she found immense joy in watching her siblings perform and cheered them on with pride.

Samantha’s deep faith was a guiding light. She grew up attending Awana and Vacation Bible School in Lafayette, and was part of several church families over the years—Regeneration Church in Oakland, First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley, and most recently, Mission Church in Walnut Creek. Her gentle heart and steadfast spirit reflected her love for Jesus and others.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Creekside Community Church, 951 MacArthur Blvd., San Leandro, CA 94577.

Donations in Samantha’s memory can be made through her GoFundMe page. 

Samantha’s life was defined not by the challenges she faced, but by the joy, faith, and love she shared. She is deeply missed but her spirit continues to shine brightly in the hearts of those who knew her. Her family finds comfort knowing she is now at peace, free and whole in God’s presence.