Samuel Ashley Washburn

Sam Washburn, age 89, died September 25, 2018 after courageously living with Parkinson’s disease for many years. He unconditionally loved, appreciated, and accepted his wife of 27 years Jane (Thorne) Ronca-Washburn. They met on Valentines’ Day 1988.

Services will be held Saturday, November 17, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at First Unitarian Church, Albuquerque, NM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity in Sam’s memory.

Sam was born in southeast Kansas on April 7, 1929, to George Washburn and Fannie Louise (DeCamp-Conway). Sam’s life was shaped by his experiences growing up working hard on a farm, and he worked for the railroad as a young man. Sam left home at 14 to live in town to be able to attend High School, and through hard work and perseverance graduated from Philips University Bible School with a degree in Divinity. After a time as a Minister, he made a life-long career as a self-taught computer programmer.

Throughout his full life, Sam loved hiking, backpacking and travelling the world, going to “high places to get the mountains’ good tidings….” His destinations included Nepal, Patagonia, and New Zealand and the mountains and canyons throughout North America.

He was an avid sports fan, quietly watching basketball, football and tennis; although he was concerned with concussions and let the NFL know! Sam loved to play tennis, and developed a mean serve; even after he could no longer run for the ball, he still forced his opponents to run around the court.

Sam showed his commitment to community by leading a group from church to work on houses for Habitat for Humanity, and supported Habitat for Humanity, his church and Sojourners for many years.

Sam is preceded in death by siblings George, Grace (Jordan), Vera (Harner), Charles and Don, and is survived by brother Herb in Kansas and sister Marge Wilson in Washington.

Sam is survived by two children with his former wife Betty D. Jones: Stefan Washburn in Ohio and Karyn Shaunnessy in Hawaii. Sam is remembered with love by many, including his son Stefan, Nancy Fountain, and their daughter Aury Washburn (married Eric Chiu); Karyn and her children Dustin Lopiccolo (Married Shannie Lopiccolo), Jarrod Lopiccolo (Married Season Lopiccolo), Laura Jaekle (Married Derek Jaekle), Robert Shaunnessy, Lucas Shaunnessy; and great-grandchildren Harper and Scarlett, Taylor and Kolbern.

His step-children, Melinda Ronca-Battista, Erika Wind, and Roxane Ronca, and his step-grandchildren, Lorna and Fred, Trevor and Riley, and Paloma and Walker were deeply inspired by the way he lived with Parkinson’s.

Sam also is also lovingly remembered by his step-children, Robert, Pamela, and Tina Ryan, whose mother and Sam’s former wife is Virginia Ryan.

He was ridiculously uncomplaining, and unfailingly thanked his many caregivers at AmberCare Hospice, Nurturing Hearts Assisted Living, and the friends who came to visit.



Sam cared for the world’s spirit.