Samantha Keller

Samantha grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where she lived until the age of 20. After marrying Jonathan’s father, who was serving in the Coast Guard at the time, their life together took them to Hatteras, North Carolina, then Barnegat Light, New Jersey, and eventually Gloucester, Virginia, where she raised their children. In 2016, Samantha returned to Maryland to help care for her elderly parents. She now lives with her two dogs, Hank and Tucker, and supports her sister in caring for their mother following their father's passing.

An artist at heart, Samantha has recently returned to painting and drawing through online classes, rediscovering a passion she had set aside while raising her family. She also enjoys hiking—especially in the woods when visiting her children. She walks daily with her two dogs, even if sidewalks have replaced trails for now.

Samantha has two older sisters who also live in Maryland and a brother based in Boston.

Samantha has always recognized Jonathan’s love for animals. From bottle-feeding kittens at age five to raising a variety of pets—dogs, cats, lizards, hermit crabs, and even a snake—his compassion for animals has been a constant. She also recalls his energy and creativity in sports, especially baseball, soccer, and skateboarding. Whether building ramps or repurposing her porch bench for skateboard tricks, Jonathan brought enthusiasm to everything he did. One of Samantha’s favorite shared memories is attending major league baseball games together. A devoted Orioles fan, she cherishes those moments when they find time to go to a game.