Samantha “Mandy” M. (Watson) Monaghan of Phoenixville and formerly of Lansdale, passed away on December 16, 2014 at the home of her parents with her loving family by her side, following a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was 30.   

        She was the beloved wife of four years to Daniel Monaghan, and the loving daughter of James and Shirley (Mullen) Watson.

        As a child, Samantha was inquisitive, charismatic, and cheerful. She explored the world around her with excitement, and never passed up an opportunity to perform for her family and friends.

        Samantha’s enthusiasm and talents shined bright as a student at St. Stanislaus grade school, as well at Lansdale Catholic High School, where she served as a model both in the classroom and on the playing field. While Samantha excelled in a variety of academic and athletic areas, her true passion was soccer. At the University of Delaware, Samantha’s leadership and athleticism were fully displayed as she served as captain and president of Delaware’s women’s club soccer, a team she helped lead to a top-five national ranking. In addition, Samantha’s hard work and determination resulted in her achievement of a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance.

        Samantha worked as a financial analyst and a marketing consultant for Allstate Insurance. She was very appreciative and grateful to work with such supportive and caring individuals. Furthermore, Samantha pursued various interests, such as yoga and photography, and thoroughly enjoyed vacations to the seashore, gatherings with friends, and hikes through Valley Forge Park with her husband and their dog, Penny.

        As a young adult, Samantha was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite facing constant challenges, she consistently demonstrated incredible strength and unyielding positivity. Samantha’s radiance was noticed and captured through her selection as a spokesperson for Under Armour’s “Power in Pink” campaign, a movement celebrating the beauty, grace, and determination of women using activity and exercise to combat breast cancer.

        Samantha’s courage is an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. She will be dearly missed, but surely not forgotten.

        In addition to her husband and her parents, Samantha is survived by her sister, Katie Bosica and her husband, Michael, of Ellicott City, MD; her nieces and nephews, Jake, Hannah, Aubrey, Paige and Patrick; her paternal grandmother, Dorothy Burke of Philadelphia; her brother-in-law, Patrick Monaghan and his wife, Shannon, of Schwenksville; and her mother and father-in-law, Barbara and Patrick Monaghan, of Lansdale. She also leaves behind countless relatives and dear friends.

        Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Sunday, December 21, 2014 from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 E. Butler Ave. (at Sandy Ridge Rd.), New Britain, PA 18901 and again on Monday, December 22, 2014 from 9:00-10:30 AM at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, 1325 Upper State Rd., North Wales, PA 19454 followed by her funeral mass at 11:00 AM. Her interment will follow in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.

        In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Samantha’s name to the Rena Rowan Breast Cancer Center, C/O Abramson Cancer Center Development Office, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104 or online at giving.apps.upenn.edu.