Family of UMass Alumna Samya Stumo, Killed in Ethiopian Airlines Crash, To Honor Her March 23 at Family Home in Sheffield

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The parents of Samya Stumo, the 24-year-old UMass Amherst alumna who died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10, will host a reception this weekend at their home in Sheffield to celebrate the life of their daughter.

Nadia Milleron and Mike Stumo say, “We invite everyone who cared about our daughter, Samya Rose Stumo, to a reception in her honor, Saturday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m. in the barn at our farm, 615 Boardman St., Sheffield Mass. There we will remember her together.”

A funeral service with limited seating will be held for Samya earlier that day at her small family church, according to her parents. At the afternoon reception, “We hope to share food and memories with all those who are able at our barn,” they say.

Stumo, a 2015 graduate of UMass Amherst, was among the 157 passengers killed in the jetliner crash. She was working for Washington, D.C.-based ThinkWell as a health care analyst at the time. ThinkWell is a nonprofit that works on health care financing in developing countries.

Stumo was a popular student during her time at UMass Amherst. In response to news of her death, university spokesman Ed Blaguszewski noted, “Samya cared deeply about the welfare of others throughout her life and across the world. While at UMass Amherst, she was honored with a special Salute to Service Scholarship for her commitment to public service. She was especially known for engaging others by earning their respect, friendship and trust, demonstrating a remarkable ability to relate to people in their communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”