It is with a heavy heart that our family announces our beautiful Samantha Crich, and her lovely daughter, our miracle girl, Elizabeth Geraldine Alberta Perkins, have both been embraced by their Lord and Savior after a tragic accident last Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
Samantha was born on March 4, 1982 in Wilkes-Barre. Her life was cut short at the age of 40 years of age. However, the impact Samantha made during her time here on Earth will be felt for generations to come. Whether it was her inclusive Thanksgiving dinners, where she invited everyone and anyone to join in the huge meals, the massive Easter egg hunts that she organized in her backyard for the kids, or the HUGE family food fights that could hit wherever and whenever, Samantha’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and generosity. Samantha’s giving nature is due in part to the many challenges she faced over the years. She was told she wouldn’t be able to play softball, but did it anyway. She was told she would have to attend a special school for physically challenged children, but instead, Samantha walked across the stage to receive her diploma in 2000 to graduate from E. L. Meyers High School. Samantha was told her baby girl, Elizabeth, would not live through the night when she was born at only 23 gestational weeks. Samantha asked God to give Lizzie a chance, and with the skills of talented doctors and nurses, prayers, and love, Lizzie went home from Lehigh Valley Hospital a few months later. Samantha’s love and will power were forces to be reckoned with. She was just like her Mom, in that if she decided to do something, she figured out a way to make it happen no matter what. Samantha lived for her children, family, friends and faith.
Samantha was preceded in death by her daughter Elizabeth Geraldine Alberta Perkins, father Samuel E. Crich, Uncle Bobby Crich, and grandparents Vera and Melvin Kratz. Samantha is survived by her parents Elizabeth and Harry Heck; family members Chubby (Preston Perkins III), Preston Perkins IV with wife Annalyssa Perkins, grandson Preston Perkins V, and granddaughter Gabriella; sons Mu’saan Shariff and Diont’e Perkins; sisters Amy Basham, Amber Zyskowski with husband Dan Zyskowski, Amanda Crich, and Alicia Williams with husband Johnny Williams; and nieces and nephews Rasheed Moore, Maliek Moore, Dakota Zyskowski, Eowynn Bogdon, Xzavion Clarke, Aiden Loucks, Cheyenne Zyskowski, Adam Shariff, August Torres, A’ishaa Crich, Daniel Zyskowski, Adeliza Crich, and Alijah Williams; plus the many, many friends who are like family.
Elizabeth Geraldine Alberta Perkins was born on May 16, 2008 in Allentown. Lizzie will always be our Miracle Baby, since her life was truly a miracle. When she was born, Lizzie weighed in at 1 pound, 3 ounces. The doctors told her Pop to “enjoy her for 24 hours,” but Pop replied, “The man up above doesn’t want her now. She’s here for a purpose.”
Our Elizabeth proved the doctors wrong every day of her fourteen years of life, going on to not only survive, but thrive. Nothing held her back! Lizzie’s soft voice didn’t stop her from belting out her favorite songs and making TikTok videos. Her hearing loss didn’t stop Lizzie from attending Kistler Elementary School, GAR Middle School, and Wilkes-Barre Area High School, with the help of her angel aide, Ms. Conahan. Lizzie’s cerebral palsy diagnosis did not stop her from playing softball, cheerleading, and gymnastics. Elizabeth doted on her brothers, and loved taking care of her nieces and nephew. Lizzie was blessed with family, friends, teachers, and coaches who loved her deeply.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her grandfathers Preston Perkins Jr. and Samuel E. Crich, and grandmother Alberta McCloe. Elizabeth is survived by her father, Preston Perkins III; brothers Preston Perkins IV, with his wife Annalyssa Perkins, Damion Kelly, Tyler Griffin, Mu’saan Shariff, and Diont’e Perkins; grandparents Elizabeth and Harry Heck; along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins who will miss her and love her always.
A memorial service will be held for Samantha and Elizabeth on Saturday, March 11, 2023. Family and friends may convey their condolences from 1-4pm at Mamary-Durkin Funeral & Cremation Services, 59 Parrish Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Please think of your favorite memory of Samantha and Elizabeth. We will ask you to share it at the service so we may share those memories with her sons as they grow. In lieu of flowers, our family suggests donating to The March of Dimes or a charity of your choice to honor them.
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