Velma Gene Samson

Velma Gene Dunbar Samson – known as Velma Gene, Velma, or Gene – died on November 1, 2017 at Independence Manor in Flemington NJ, from having lived almost 92 years.

Velma Gene was born in Norwich, CT, on November 11, 1925. Her parents were Edward (EC) and Evelyn (Shattuck) Dunbar, both of long-standing New England stock. Her brother, Norman, was three years older. In 1928, the family settled in Flemington where EC became pastor of the Flemington Baptist Church, a position he held until 1967.

By the time Velma Gene was a student at Flemington High School, her musical talent was well known, but she also served in student government, worked on the school newspaper, sang in chorus, composed the school song, and was on the yearbook staff. She graduated from F.H.S. in 1943 at the top of her class. At Douglass College, she double-majored in music and math, graduating in 1947.

After World War II, through brother, Norman, she met her husband-to-be, Edward Samson of Rocktown NJ. Gene and Eddie were wed in July of 1947 and spent 61 years together. In 1954 they built a three-bedroom Cape Cod-style house on New York Avenue in Flemington, where they lived for 55 years and raised three kids – son, Peter; daughter, Debby; and son, André. As a family, they loved to travel, hike and camp, and visit with friends and family.

Velma Gene was an accomplished musician, playing piano and organ and directing adult choirs, youth choirs and bell choirs, first at the Flemington Baptist Church and later Clover Hill Reformed Church, for a combined 50 years.

She was a creative seamstress. If it could be crafted with a needle, she could master it. She sewed clothing, knitted sweaters, darned socks, crocheted doilies, tatted lace, braided and hooked rugs, made draperies, and upholstered furniture. She made her own greeting cards from scratch. She cooked and baked not only to feed her family, but also to satisfy her own wicked sweet tooth.

Also having a sharp mathematical mind, Gene coached Eddie through algebra at Rutgers, tutored neighborhood and church kids, substitute taught math at Flemington-Raritan and Hunterdon Central, kept the household finances in order, and volunteered as an accountant at the local American Heart Association. She was a long-time member of the Flemington Women’s Club.

Except for her college years, Gene lived her entire life in Flemington. Her knowledge of the town, its history, and families, was broad and deep. She spent her last few years at Independence Manor, where she was beloved by staff and contributed an article on the history of Flemington to the quarterly newsletter.

Velma was preceded in death by husband, Ed, in 2008, and daughter, Debby in 2013. She is survived by son, Andre of Seattle WA; Peter (Robin Schauffler) of Portland OR; and son-in-law, Bob Fouse of Milford NJ, who brought to Gene, through his marriage to Debby, three grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

A service of tribute to Velma Gene will be held at Clover Hill Reformed Church, Clover Hill NJ, at 10:30 am, Friday, November 17, 2017 under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. She will be buried at the church cemetery, where she will join Eddie and Debby, with a sweeping view of the beautiful, rural Hunterdon County she so loved and never left.

Remembrances may be made to Clover Hill Reformed Church, 890 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 or Hunterdon Hospice, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington NJ 08822.

Velma Gene touched the lives of thousands with her music and crafts; her cookies and pies; and her kindness and compassion. Her smile brightened every room and her memorable laugh can still be heard by her family and many devoted friends who loved and will miss her.