Dec. 1979 – Jan. 2018
Dec. 1979 – Jan. 2018
Lauren Emily Sampson, 38, passed away unexpectedly in Fresno, CA. Lauren was born in Redwood City, CA to Philip and Jennifer Sampson. Lauren attended Merced and Livingston schools. In 1999, she graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Animal Science. She went on to attend Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN where she earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Upon completion of her Veterinary degree, Lauren undertook a fellowship for Equine Dentistry in Florida. Afterward she returned to the Central Valley and began practicing as an Equine Veterinarian. Over the next 15 years, she transitioned into small animal care, shelter veterinary medicine, spay/neuter clinics and emergency veterinary medicine. She also created and ran her own low cost vaccination clinic.
Lauren’s passion for animals began at a very early age. She loved horses, cats, dogs (especially pugs), reptiles, rabbits, and sugar gliders. At the age of 7, Lauren began horseback riding at Rascal Slough Ranch in Hilmar, CA. Her early riding experiences quickly blossomed into a passion for competitive dressage and hunter jumping. She would also become an accomplished young pianist at the age of 8. Lauren was an avid reader who also enjoyed whale watching, rescuing/fostering animals, and attending Panic! At The Disco concerts. She spent many happy years working on her ranch to make it a dream horse facility.
Lauren is predeceased by her maternal grandfather, Leland G. Means Jr., paternal grandparents Philip and Elsie Sampson, aunt Cindy Cleaves and uncles Duncan T. Means, Peter Sampson, Parker Sampson, and Patrick Sampson.
Lauren is survived by her husband Joseph E. Donabed III; her loving grandmother Mariquita Tuker Means of Santiago, Chile; her parents Philip and Jennifer Sampson of Turlock, CA; and her sister April Sampson of Burlingame, CA. She is also survived by extended family members in Chile, England, the Phillippines, and the state of Maine.
Lauren is now at peace in the company of the love of her life and best friend, Forever Magic, her magnificent Arabian mare. In February of 2015, at the age of 31, Magic won 1st place in Dressage class at the National Arabian Horseshow in Scottsdale, AZ.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on February 2nd at Allen Mortuary, 247 N. Broadway, Turlock, CA. The service will begin at 1pm and will be followed by a reception at the Carnegie Arts Center across the street from the mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to New Beginnings for Merced County Animals: newbeginningsforanimalsmerced.org
Condolences(6)-
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Kelly collier says
June 14, 2018 at 1:11 amSweet Lauren, It’s only today that I found out you are gone. You were my friend and neighbor. You extended yourself helping me build my business always giving me amazing advice and support.
I will always remember sitting in my kennel for hours playing with every animal on my farm and sharing stories about life. We could talk for hours, maybe days about our love of dogs. You spoke of your parents and horses. You also expressed doubt in your desire to be in your field of expertise and had much trepitude about your ability to cure or fix everything. I think you were an amazing girl.
KIM BAZZAR says
January 31, 2018 at 2:20 amLauren and I met while she was working at the Merced animal Shelter. I would bring animals in, as an ACO, then go into the clinic to chat with. We always laughed, joked and had great conversations. She was a brilliant Veterinarian and an amazing woman. She will be forever remembered and truly missed. May GOD BLESS AND COMFORT YOU ALL.
Steve and Micki Moeller says
January 30, 2018 at 4:53 amOur hearts feel the sadness of Lauren’s passing, as we are also parents. We want to express our condolences to the Sampson family and pray that you find comfort in leaning on God’s love for you all.
Erin Genest says
January 29, 2018 at 5:19 pmI graduated from college and Taylor Vet was my first job right out of college. When I first met Lauren she took me under her wing, told me to call her Lauren, not Dr. Sampson, and she made me into an amazing vet tech! She also turned into an amazing friend. She was a very strong woman and knew exactly what she wanted. I am so very heart broken that Lauren has been taken from us far too soon. She was an absolute my beautiful woman. You be will be missed.
Your family in Chile says
January 29, 2018 at 12:22 amLauren. We only met you a few times as we are your family from Chile and distance made it difficult. But we always kept track of your life specially from your grand-parents Leland and Mariquita. They were very proud of all your achievements and loved you dearly.
Last year in November we met at your parents home and talked a lot about your future plans and you so sweetly invited us to see your beautiful horses at your ranch in Turlock. It was as if we had always been in touch. That is the memory we will hold of you: An intelligent and beautiful girl. Who now will be joining her beloved Magic and her grandpa Leland.
The world is a better place with all that you did for each and every animal you cured.
God bless you Lauren.
Jeanne Seeley says
January 28, 2018 at 4:23 pmI wanted to say how sorry I am to hear about Lauren’s passing. I met her when she took on providing the services for Alley Cat Guardians and we became friends. She was an amazing vet, able to spay/neuter hundreds of feral cats safely and quickly. I kept in touch via Facebook and will miss her with and compassion for animals especially her pugs and horses. Gob bless you, Lauren.