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Miriam Tyler Sample 1920-2008
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| Remembrances
We will always remember Miriam as a wonderful, funny lady. We were fortunate enough to get to know her during our time in Billings. Her support for the Arts was second to none and her encouragement of artists was unending. My favorite memory is the Retirement Shower she and Joe held for us when I retired. I still look at the photos from that evening. Bruce & Kathryn Carpenter
Miriam was a good friend and colleague. I so remember when she convinced Steve Fenter and me that we should start a "Beau Arts Ball" for the benefit of the Boys Club. She pushed us and everyone to make it happen. She made the Yellowstone Art Center a better museum of contemporary art than any other institution between Minneapolis and Los Angeles! Leslie Cox, Port Townsend, WA
Barbara and Michael Sample & Family- I wanted to let you know that my prayers are with you and your family at this time. Life is fragile... handle with prayer. And remember when someone you love becomes a memory, their memory becomes a treasure. God Bless you and your family! Andreanna (Andy) Brown
Miriam was a true treasure to the Billings community, and to the organizations that she so richly supported. Her arts legacy is unparalleled, and without her personal contributions and the support she encouraged among her many, many friends and contacts, Billings and the entire region would have been far less well culturally represented. I personally treasure the professional relationship that we had, and we have delighted in the times when we have enjoyed her presence and social skills. She will be greatly missed. Dr. and Mrs. Robert R. Hylton
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Miriam Tyler Sample, a young 88, died June 16th from a brain injury suffered in a fall at her home. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 1, 1920, grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and graduated from Stephens College. In 1946 she married Mark S. Willing, Jr. and moved to Chicago, Illinois, which became her home for 19 years. While in Chicago she was active in a myriad of organizations including St. Luke’s and Children's Memorial Hospitals, Chicago Commons, of which she was the first woman president, the Red Cross, whose campaign she headed in 1957, and the Crusade for Mercy (Community Fund) whose 2300 volunteers she directed as Chairman of the Women's Division in 1959. Upon the death of her husband, she became a feature writer for the Chicago Sun Times, working alongside Ann Landers, who became a good friend. In 1965 she married Montana broadcaster, Joe Sample, and moved to Billings. With her customary energy, she quickly became involved in the community, heading the fund drive for the Billings Studio Theater with Hall Diteman, serving as publicity chairman for the Billings United (Way) Neighbors, and becoming the recipient of the United Neighbors Citizen of the Year award and the Peter Yegen, Jr. Award for Community Service. As time went on, she broadened her interests. She was appointed as a member of the Montana Arts Council and served on the board of the Yellowstone Art Museum for many years. That led to her interest in Montana artists whom she felt did not receive the recognition they deserved. She was concerned that, due to the lack of a market in Montana for their work, this great body of art would end up in out of state institutions. Consequently, over a period of time, she purchased more than 400 pieces of artwork from well known Montana artists and donated them to a dozen Montana and regional museums. Her "day job" for the past twenty-five years has been as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Sample Foundation which makes grants to Montana non-profit organizations which serve the disadvantaged or work in areas of health or youth development. Under her management the foundation has become recognized as a leader in its category. Miriam received many awards including the 1997 Governor's Award for the Arts and honorary degrees from Montana State University-Bozeman and Rocky Mountain College. In a 1978 article by Addison Bragg in the Billings Gazette, she summed up her philosophy by saying "I think that people who consider themselves members of a community have an obligation to that community, and that obligation can best be discharged by involvement." She lived by those words. She is survived by her husband Joe, numerous family members, including Barbara and Michael Sample, who have provided outstanding support in this difficult time, and a host of friends. There will be no services. Donations in her memory may be made to the Yellowstone Art Museum, 401 N. 27th Street, Billings, Montana 59101. |
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I remember Miriam as a vivacious, caring, and totally unpretentious member of the Billings community. To Joe and all family members, I hope your memories of Miriam will comfort you now. And every time I get back to Billings, I will stop in the Art Center and remember Miriam, and all the ways she helped make Billings and Montana better places. Glenn Hebert Albuquerque, New Mexico
To the Sample family I was shocked to hear of Miriam's accident. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Remember the good times. God Bless Toni Lawhon Forsyth, MT
I share this native american prayer with Joe Sample and others... I give you this one thought to keep I am with you still...I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I am the diamond glints on snow I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight I am the soft stars that shine at night Do not think of me as gone I am with you still In each new dawn. Randal Morgan Tyler, nephew Irvington, Virginia Thinking of you Joe at this time.
Uncle Joe and family, My relationship with my dear Aunt Miriam will remain a cherished treasure. She was my mentor in every way, serving as an outstanding example of what it means to give back to your community, something I have tried to do with my life as well. She was always there for me, but particularly when I lost my first husband to cancer 14 years ago. She had been widowed at my age then ( mid 40's) and she helped me pave the way for my life after the death of a spouse. I respected her and loved her and I will greatly miss our "soulmate" conversations. My loving thoughts are with you, Joe. Please take care of yourself. Bonnie Tyler Spradling Niece Asheville, North Carolina
Dear Joe, For days we have struggled with trying to find the right words to convey our sympathy to you on the loss of Miriam. We know the words will never be adequate. Her passing is a great loss to the community and all who knew her even slightly. We hope you can take comfort in the fact that she is so revered. With our sincere condolences, Ronnie and Janet Bedford
To the entire Tyler and Sample Families, Miriam was a kind and thoughtful influence for me, in my youth in Montana. I will always remember both Joe and Miriam's generosity, in every way, to my family. I know she will be missed by so many... Craig Alexander Peiss
Dear Joe and members of the Sample family, We will always remember the enthusiasm and generosity of Miriam toward cultural and community development in Billings, most recently the support that she and the Foundation, Joe and the Sample family, gave to construct the wonderful community playground at Orchard School. Of course, this was just one of her many gifts to our City and our State. We will also remember her keen intelligence and her articulate communications. We always enjoyed talking with her -- so thoughtful and perceptive in her remarks. She was an outstanding citizen of Billings and Montana. Her passing is a great loss to us all. Joel and Ann Guthals
Dear Joe, Mike and family: One feels lucky in life when you can have the opportunity to meet and work with inspiring people. Miriam was such a person and she inspired us and so many others. At the Yellowstone Art Museum, she tirelessly promoted Montana artists, upheld high standards, and created ways for the YAM to grow, lending generously from her own expertise and giving generously from her financial resources. Her legacy is at the YAM, and all over Montana, to be seen and enjoyed for generations to come. Miriam was a role model and she will be missed by many. With love and memories, Don & Marilyn Floberg
Dear Joe, Mike, Barb & Sample family, I think of Miriam first and foremost as a true lady in the very best sense of the word: gracious, poised and generous. Having had the pleasure of working with her during my 8 years at the YAM, I was also able to witness and admire her superb organizational skills, high standards of quality, sense of humor, and strength of purpose. Her great legacy to the arts in Montana is unparalleled. We were blessed to have her. --Marilynn Miller
Dear Joe and Family, Please know my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Miriam was an elegant, lovely woman whom I greatly admired for her civic leadership. Jeanne (Meek) Patterson
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