Sammy Marie McNulty

August 10, 1926 - December 31, 2021

Sammy Marie McNulty 08/10/1926 - 12/31/2021 Lakeside, California Devoted Wife ~ Mother ~ Daughter ~ Friend “Sammy Marie McNulty passed away sleeping peacefully at her home on New Year's Eve with her family close by her side." Born in Mobeetie on the High Plains of Texas to James and Julia May, she spent part of her early youth overcoming unimaginable obstacles, but never let those experiences deter or define her. She thrived during her adolescent years as a student with high marks and was admired by all who knew her. She matured into a bright and beautiful young woman who excelled in the workplace as a perky soda jerk, an attentive switchboard operator and a patriotic war time volunteer. These experiences would shape her into the sensitive, strong, and determined matriarch of the McNulty family. She married her childhood friend and sweetheart James Andrew McNulty and asked God to gift her with a large family. Her prayers were answered when Judy and Jim were born, followed a decade later by John and Joe. Pat and Brian would arrive a decade after that to ensure the family flourished. She also embraced the spouses of her children as her very own. Sammy found no greater joy than being the grandmother to 11 amazing grandchildren, 11 remarkable great-grandchildren and 6 delightful great-great grand-children. She devoted her time to her children by volunteering in their church activities, school classrooms, scouting events and also played den mother to the always present neighborhood kids, while at the same time keeping her household running smoothly. She also looked after the wellbeing of her parents, as well as her husband's parents and much of the extended family. She excelled in a career in nursing once her children were grown, allowing for her to help others in times of need and yet she was always there when someone in the family needed her help, guidance, or the occasional pep talk. Sammy loved celebrating birthdays & holidays, sharing stories & photos, listening to classical & country music, reading mystery & adventure novels, enjoyed crocheting & painting, observing hummingbirds & butterflies, playing Keno & Yahtzee, cheering on her Padres & the Chargers, going to the Arizona Desert & the Colorado River, making fudge & cabbage rolls, watching NASCAR & Downton Abbey, loving warm weather & cold watermelon, being a Twilight & Lord of the Rings enthusiast, planting tomatoes & roses, gazing at the stars & sunsets, feasting on McRib’s & Arby’s Reubens, socializing with the gals at the clubhouse & baking brownies for the local firefighters, and traveling to see family & friends near & far! She is everything to us... and as in every epic love story told, there comes a glorious finale. Sammy leaves us now, walking into the warm sun rays towards James who is waiting for her at the yellow rose covered gate. She leaves us all stronger for having known her, all richer from the love she showed us how to give, with nothing but beautiful memories, endless laughter and also with something she wanted all of us to remember: “I am so proud of our family, the wonderful life we have shared, and I would not change a second of it for anything. We really did have everything, didn't we? Oh, wasn't it all so grand!?" A private Interment will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on August 5, 2022 at 9:00 am. A private Celebration of Life will be held at Lindo Lake Park on August 6, 2022 at 10:00 am.