Samantha J. "Sami Jo" Deiter

Samantha J. “Sami Jo” Deiter        â€œbeloved daughter, sister, granddaughter & friend”

COUDERSPORT, PA---Samantha J. “Sami Jo” Deiter, 25, of Coudersport, formerly of Thompson, CT, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Friday, April 22, 2016 at Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport.
     Born September 4, 1990 in Coudersport, she was a daughter of Stephanie J. “Taffy” Chitester and Randy R. Deiter.
     Sami Jo was a graduate of Tourtellotte High School in Thompson, Connecticut and was a graduate of Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Soon after graduating from college, she was diagnosed with the rare brain disorder, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Syndrome.
     Sami Jo attended St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Coudersport.  She loved to travel, enjoyed going to the beach, and had a great love for all animals, including great white sharks.  Her greatest love was her family.
     Surviving are her mother, Stephanie J. “Taffy” (Scott Hale) Chitester of Thompson, CT; her father, Randy R. (Dawn) Deiter of Coudersport; her maternal grandparents, Gerald and Kim Chitester of Coudersport; a brother, Ryan J. Chitester of Philadelphia; three aunts, Renee DeMay, Jessica Chitester and Abby (Josh) Ayers; many other aunts, uncles, and cousins; and her extended Deiter and Strayer families.
     Sami Jo was predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Richard Deiter; and an aunt, Mary Gray.
     Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Parish Center, 3 Borie Street, Coudersport.  A service of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016 in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dr. Darrel R. Justh, pastor, and the Rev. Carl P. Greene, Potter County Hospice Chaplain, officiating.  
     A reception will follow the funeral services at the Coudersport American Legion.
     Flowers are gratefully declined and will be provided by the family. Memorials may be made to Teacher’s Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915.
     Sami Jo’s family has entrusted her care to the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.