Shelray Dusira Phin Sam

In Loving Memory of Shelray Dusira Phin Sam

June 6, 1970 – July 13, 2026

Shelray Sam, a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on July 13, 2026, at the age of 56. In her last year she fought hard against a rare cancer (mucosal melanoma), but ultimately succumbed to it. She was surrounded by family who showered her with love and support until her last breath at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. Shelray was born on June 6, 1970, to Srey Sam (father) and Yin Leng (mother), in the beautiful region of Pailin, Battambang, Cambodia. Shelray brought kindness, light and a nurturing spirit into the world from the very beginning. The majority of her life was spent in San Jose, California, where she built a vibrant life filled with laughter, community, and lifelong friendships. A true social butterfly, she possessed a rare, magnetic grace—she made friends effortlessly and left a lasting impression on everyone. In her later years, she moved to Oxford, Michigan, to be close to her mother and other family. Shelray dedicated her career to helping and caring for others as a CNA. Patience, empathy, and a gentle touch brought immense comfort to those people over the years. Her passion for nurturing extended far beyond her work. She was an avid lover of animals of all kinds. Each one of her pets were treated with love and a gentle fondness. Shelray also possessed a remarkable green thumb and could grow anything. It brought her great peace and joy tending to her beautiful gardens. Above all, Shelray’s greatest joy and deepest love was her family. She was a fiercely devoted mother to three daughters and a proud grandmother to a cherished grandson. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and resilience in them. She is survived by Yin Leng (mother), Vannak Sam (brother), Eng Funke (sister), Sopheop Hettinga (sister), Ruth Melissa Barrett (daughter), Michelle Suy-Sam (daughter), Katherine Subia (daughter), and Alexander Subia (grandson). She will be deeply missed by her family, her many friends, and all those whose lives were touched by her kind spirit.