I write with great sadness about the death of Samantha Szemeredi, associate registrar for enrollment and academic records. After a courageous battle with cancer, Samantha died June 30 at Dominican Hospital. She was 41.
Long a member of the campus community, Samantha graduated from UCSC in 1991 as a Kresge College student with a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies. She later returned to UCSC in 1996 as a staff member in Printing Services, and then joined the Registrar's Office in 1997.
As associate registrar, Samantha worked with many across campus. She will be remembered for her professionalism and focus on service to students; her intelligence, beauty, and love of life; her appreciation for the natural world; and her devotion to family.
Samantha is survived by her beloved husband, Robert Szemeredi, of Undergraduate Admissions; a son, Sam Culbertson; and her parents, sisters, and in-laws--including her mother-in-law, Susan Szemeredi of the Student Health Center, and her brother-in-law, Zolton Szemeredi of Fleet Services.
Registrar's Office staff members are grieving the loss of Samantha and extend heartfelt condolences to her many family members, friends, and colleagues.
Services will be held at Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel, at 1927 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, (831) 426-1601. Visitation will be held Monday, July 7: friends may call at the chapel between 4 and 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 8, at 11:30 a.m.
A reception with light refreshments will follow at St. Joseph's in Capitola.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure (http://www.komen.org/).
