Caroline Howard Sammis<br/>September 1, 1962 - March 16, 2015

Caroline Howard Sammis passed away peacefully in her sleep Monday morning, March 16, 2015. She was born with beautiful bright red hair at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, CA on September 1, 1962. Caroline spent her life in Newport Beach, graduating from Newport Harbor High School in 1980 where she made many life-long friends who loved her deeply.

“Sweet Caroline” was a loving and gentle soul who was also super smart, had a sharp wit and great sense of humor. She had a soft spot for all animals and made it her mission to rescue as many kitty-cats as she could, all of whom were nurtured and spoiled in her care. She was an excellent horsewoman and spent many summers at Piñon Valley Ranch in Colorado, competing in barrel riding at rodeos, and later riding her horse Sunny at the Irvine Equestrian Center between CDM and Laguna Beach.

Her proudest accomplishment and greatest joy in life were her beloved children, son Sammis (Sam) Gayner, who served as a U.S. Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan, and daughter Cassidy Gayner Reeves, who graduated from Chapman University and received her Teacher Credential at Vanguard University. One of her greatest wishes came true this past January when she gave her daughter’s hand away in marriage and proudly watched her walk down the aisle.

Caroline loved her country, her family, her cats, and a multitude of dear friends, watching her children compete in volleyball, track, and wrestling, weekends at Smoke Tree Ranch and dancing at Cecil’s in Palm Springs, eating Razzles and Red Vines, reading People Magazine and pop culture, watching old movies including her favorite actor Gene Kelly in his movie “Singin’ In The Rain”, rocking out to her favorite bands The B-52s, Pat Benatar, and The Go-Go’s, and her absolute favorite song, “I Melt With You” by Modern English.

She is predeceased by her parents, Lee and Joan Howard Sammis. Those who mourn her passing are many, including her children Sammis Gayner and Cassidy Gayner Reeves and her husband Dane Reeves, her sisters Annie Sammis, Gina Sammis, Diana Sammis Brookes and her husband Bob Brookes, and her nieces Chelsea Sellem, Savannah Beck, Joanna, Christina, and Michelle Brookes and Alena Arrigo.

In lieu of flowers, please find a loving home for a cat or dog from your local shelter.