Samantha Kelly Caggiano

Samantha Kelly Caggiano, OD, of Sandy, Oregon was taken too soon by cancer at the age of 49. She was born in Newton, New Jersey to Wanda and Robert Caggiano. She graduated from Wallkill Valley Regional High School in 1992. She subsequently attended Ursinus College, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree (Biology Major with a Chemistry Minor) in 1996. It was Pacific University’s College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon that brought Samantha out West, and that is where she met her husband, Travis Lafayette. While at Pacific University, she volunteered with the non-profit organization Amigos—work that was highlighted by an eyecare mission to Honduras in March of 2000. She obtained a Doctorate in Optometry in 2001 and graduated as Valedictorian. 

Samantha worked as an optometrist in the Portland area for more than two decades. Her professional record includes a residency at Portland Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center, delivering compensation and pension exams for the VA System, managing a pediatric clinic at Pacific University’s SE Family Vision Center, and finally Northwest Permanente (NWP). She was the Oregon Young Optometrist of the Year in 2009 and a Board Member of the Portland Metropolitan Optometric Society from 2005 to 2011, serving as President from 2006 to 2007.

Samantha’s tireless commitment to children and retirees was a prominent and unifying theme of her work. Anyone who needed help was someone that Sam wanted to care for. Over her 18 years at NWP, she put in countless hours to develop co-management guidelines and helped raise the quality of care for all NWP eyecare physicians. This dedication for medicine and caring for patients was felt by all who associated with her. 

Although she was busy with a successful and rewarding career as an optometrist, love for her sons Finley and Forrest was her true passion. Her role as Mom meant more to her than any career or life’s other commitments. She spent many mornings volunteering at Kelso Elementary School where her children were enrolled, spent many other hours watching them practice and perform Taekwondo, and attended Boring Middle School track meets and other events.

Unfortunately, Samantha was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March of 2020. Through her strong will and medical advances, she was able to have 7 different chemotherapy treatments over the last 3 years. She passed at her home in peace. She will be sorely missed. Samantha is survived by her mother and father Wanda and Robert Caggiano, brother Dan Caggiano, husband Travis Lafayette, and sons Finley and Forrest Lafayette. 

A public memorial service will be held at the Sandy Funeral Home, at 11am on June 10th with a reception to follow at nearby Meinig Memorial Park. Samantha greatly benefited from the help of the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and SW Washington. In lieu of flowers, cards, or gifts, please consider a donation to the organization www.ovariancancerosw.org/donate/.