Anne Coombs

July 17, 1966 – January 26, 2019

This is the tale of Anne Marie Temple Coombs. She was a woman whose strength of heart and care for others was only surpassed the love she had for her family and friends. She was an amazing wife, mother, friend and her Cocktails were unsurpassed.

Her story begins on July 17, 1966 in Waverly New York. Daughter of Leslie Temple and Margaret Brackin, she was the 3rd of four children. She spent her youth in Lockwood NY and graduated from Waverly High. She had many friends and adventures in that small town. She went on to Elmira College for nursing. During her time in school she was felled by illness so great that it almost ended this story. Surrounded by her family and those who loved her she found the strength to fight back and survive and thrive. She later graduated from school and began her career and passion in nursing. Fate tried again to derail her with the passing of her beloved sister Carolyn. This tragedy cut her deep, but Anne found the strength to carry on with a passion for her work and the ones who she loved. Over her years in service to the medical profession she was an ER nurse, a Labor and delivery nurse, a visiting nurse and a Care Manager. Above all she was a fierce advocate for her patients.

On a fine day 23 years ago just prior to Superbowl weekend she met the love of her life at a little establishment known as T Birds. It was purely by chance they met. She thought he was nuts and a little odd for wearing clogs but some how he made it work. He lived in Vermont as a chef at the time. For the first year together, they traveled the long distance every weekend between Maine and Vermont to see each other. On Sept 12, 1998 they were wed and for the next 20 years were never apart. They moved to Vermont where she worked as a Visiting nurse. Her job sometimes required her to travel at night even to the Border of Canada to comfort and aid those in need. He would not let her go alone and would sleep in the car to keep her company and to watch over her. On February 20, 2001, her pride and joy Kathryn was born. A mother lion had nothing on Anne as to how protective or loyal she was to her. They all moved to Texas for a few years to be near her supportive sister Mary and her family. There she worked as a labor and delivery nurse, at times running back and forth between rooms delivering babies. It was chaotic but she thrived on it and loved every minute of it. Anne was always drawn to the sea and her love for Maine brought them back home. She returned to working as a Visiting nurse for a few years and then went into Care Management at Mercy Hospital. She took great pride in her job there and would not leave until the job was done. They were her Patients, her Doctors! It pained her to no end if she felt she had let any of them down and did everything in her power to not let that happen. She advocated for those in need and would fight with everything she had to provide what was needed. She was also a mentor to her fellow nurses.

What brought Anne much joy were long walks with her dog Abbie, day trips with her family on Peaks island, Cocktails at Northpoint with her husband, trips to Boston, Coffee and cooking.

For those who knew Anne she was also fierce competitor when it came to Words with Friends, Nintendo games played with her daughter and was even known to play poker on occasion. She was also a major Harry Potter fan and a Hunter of Pokemon much to the delight of her daughter and Husbands dismay.

She was tough on the outside and wore a brave face in public, at work and with her family, fighting through pain that plagued her daily. She refused to allow the pain to dictate her life. But finally, on January 26, 2019, her journey will now continue in Heaven. Anne was loved by her Husband Marc and beautiful daughter Katie. Anne was predeceased by her Dad, Leslie Temple, sister Carolyn, and father-in-law Blaine Coombs. Still loving her and missing her already are her mother, Margaret Brackin, sister Mary Ellen (David) Delaney, brother Michael Temple, Mother-in-law, Jeanne Coombs and brother-in-law Patrick Coombs. Nieces and nephews include Jack (Joany) Delaney, Colleen Delaney, Bryan Temple, Ross Temple, Carli Temple, Patrick Temple and Michael Coombs.

Visitation with the family will be January 31, 2019 4-7 pm and the Liturgy of the Word February 1, 2019 at 10 am at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, Maine, 04013. Burial will be at 1pm Evergreen Cemetery, Portland Maine.