At the time of her death at age two, Samantha Jane Kessler was just beginning to navigate the journey from babyhood to childhood. And, like an intrepid traveler, she had a determined sense of where she wanted to go and the unwavering perseverance to get there.

Katie and Mark Kessler's oldest child, Samantha was born on September 6, 1999. From an early age, her striking combination of bright green-blue eyes and wild dark curls never failed to cause family and strangers alike to stop and comment how adorable she was.

Blessed with an extremely close-knit family, Samantha celebrated special occasions, and every day ones too, in homes filled with aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents. And best of all, cousins of all ages. Some who called her "Mantha," because they were too young to pronounce her name; some who chased her down to give her hugs; and even one who shared birthdays with her. There were cousins to play toys with, cousins to watch favorite Barney, Elmo and Winnie the Pooh videotapes with, and one special cousin, just a bit younger, who would have been like a sister to share secrets and adventures with as they grew.

From an early age, Samantha had a heart and a mind of her own. When she loved something, she really loved it - like her ice cream, each bite of which she would savor slowly. And when she didn't like something, she was no shrinking violet, loudly broadcasting an assertive "NO!" to make her feelings known.

Yet for all her independence, Samantha was her parent's girl at heart, and never liked to be too far from them. She loved playing at bath time with her daddy and at bedtime, she would say, "night mommy, night mommy," over and over until she drifted off to sleep.

A bright light lost far too soon, Samantha's spirit lives on in the work of The Samantha Foundation and shines in the children whose lives are saved as a result of the efforts made in her name.