Sharon ” Sam ” Waite

April 22, 1946 - June 4, 2019
Sharon ” Sam ” Waite

Memorial Gifts & Donations




Sharon “Sam” Waite passed away peacefully at Lower Cape Fear Hospice on June 4 , 2019 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 73.

Born Sharon Crusinberry in Des Moines, Iowa on April 22, 1946 Sam grew up in Dallas. She lived in many places, but Wilmington was her true home. She was incredibly creative and was a marvelous photographer and decorator, always in the middle of a project. She was an office nurse for many years before she had to retire after numerous battles with cancer. Fifteen years ago several doctors gave her six months to live, but strong-willed as she was, she declared that it was simply not acceptable, to the surprise only of those who didn’t know her.

She is survived by her loving partner, care-giver and best friend Joe Seme, her brother Jim Crusinberry, her loving daughter Jennifer Smith and beautiful grand-daughters Sofia, Emmy and Lila, and her incredible son Todd Waite and his wife Stephanie, as well as her two beloved dogs, Tilly and Nellie.

Sam’s real passion was gardening, and her beautiful garden next to the marsh around Hewlett’s Creek was truly her “Happy Place.” Digging in the dirt was her real therapy. By now she is in a wonderful place where she’ll probably meet Claude Monet, whose garden at Giverny she and Joe visited on a ramble around Europe. She’ll probably let him know if he puts too much water on the geraniums and maybe not enough on the roses. And knowing Sam, she’ll make sure that he listens.

Sam was not only a beautiful woman with a gorgeous smile, but more than that, she was a beautiful person with a kind and gentle spirit. She was well-loved and she will be missed by all who knew her. Smile when you think of her. She would like that.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sam’s memory to offset the considerable medical expenses incurred can be made to tmcfunding.

A celebration of Sam’s life will be held at a later date. Place, date, and time will be announced.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the ” Post a Condolence ” tab below.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington NC 28403. 910.791.9099


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  • June 06, 2019
    Marge Maresca says:
    The obituary was beautifully written and describes Sam perfectly. We became fast friends several years ago and found we experienced a lot of the same things as young kids. When her cancer returned and she experienced a lot of pain on a daily basis I would call her to see if she wanted to go to lunch a do a little gallivanting. She never said no even when her pain was bad. She was so very special and I loved her dearly.

  • June 07, 2019
    Scott Sheperd says:
    Sam was one of a kind. I was privileged to be her friend. She really did make the world a brighter place. I will truly miss her.

  • June 07, 2019
    elizabeth Miller says:
    Our sympathy at this most difficult time, may peace and comfort come from above. Promises of God's strength and hope, will give us the inner peace. Philippians 4:6,7 " The peace of God that surpasses all understand will guard your hearts and your thoughts." Please accept or condolences.

  • June 07, 2019
    Joanna Chrystal says:
    Sam truly was one of a kind and everything written about her is so true. I will miss her friendship, her smile, her laughter and enjoying a glass of wine with her. She did everything thing in her power to keep this dreaded disease at bay as long as she could to be with Joe, her children and her beautiful grandchildren. Sam will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.

  • June 07, 2019
    Will Russell says:
    I was blessed to know Sam. She was loved by the people she touched. She made the world a more beautiful place. Joe, my heart aches for you, I am glad that you found each other, and that you were able to share this world together for a time