Doris "Joan" Sampieri's Obituary
Joan Sampieri (nee Nicholls) passed away late on the night of January 12th, 2026 following several months of illness. She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in New Jersey, Joan dedicated her life to advancing women’s rights, civil rights, and human rights. In the 1970s, she served as President of New Jersey NOW and state coordinator for the Women’s Political Caucus, and helped lead campaigns for George McGovern and Ann Klein. She later taught assertiveness and defense classes for women and girls, served as Coordinator for Rape Care at the New Jersey Division on Women, and fought successfully for admission to the Carpenter’s Union—earning the respect of colleagues on construction sites across southern New Jersey.
In the 1990s, Joan moved to Florida to be near her grandchildren and became President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Miami and the Greater Keys. After retiring in 2004, she ran her own consulting business focused on helping non-profits and served as a Guardian ad Litem and on the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women.
After moving to Michigan in 2012, Joan continued her civic involvement, serving as President of the League of Women Voters of Washtenaw County, on the board of the local NAACP, and as Treasurer of the Western Washtenaw Democrats.
A longtime member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Joan’s beliefs shaped her commitment to justice, nonviolence, and advocacy for others.
She is survived by her brothers, Bruce Nicholls (Sharon) and David Nicholls (Lynda); her children, Deborah Sampieri Corbishley (Frank), Dave Sampieri (Diane Galeone), Jennifer Fairfield, and Bill Sampieri (Melyssa Katz-Sampieri); and her grandchildren Rebecca Corbishley-Weintraub (Joe), Sarah Corbishley (Emma), and Caleb Corbishley. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Doris Nicholls; sister Kathy Nicholls; brother and sister-in-law Mike and Mary Nicholls; and son-in-law Brent Fairfield.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Sunday, January 25, 2026 from 1 PM to 5 PM at the Historic Chelsea Depot, 125 Jackson St, Chelsea, Michigan 48118
Donations in lieu of flowers:
Ann Arbor Branch NAACP
Designate in memo to either Juneteenth or Scholarships
PO Box 3399
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
League of Women Voters of Washtenaw County Education Fund
Made payable to: LWV-Washtenaw-Education Fund
P.O. Box 3832
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3832
Or non-tax deductible gift online at: https://my.lwv.org/michigan/washtenaw-county/donate
Friends General Conference
Online donation form: https://www.fgcquaker.org/donate/
Huron Valley Humane Society
Online donation form: https://www.hshv.org/give/donate/
Arbor Day Foundation –
To plant trees in memory of Joan
Online Form here.
Please leave a message of comfort for Joan’s family or sign her guestbook at https://www.EinederFuneralHomes.com.
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