Catherine Coombs, 79 of Orleans MA passed peacefully on March 10, 2013 at the Hope Hospice McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich, surrounded by family and dear friends as they sweetly sang her favorite songs.
Catherine was born in Rochester, NY to James and Catherine Pettengill and moved at a young age to Springfield, MA where she went to school and was very active in 4-H, Girl Scouts, High School Band and Drama Club.
She met her husband, Ralph in Weston, VT. They married in 1950 and were dairy farmers in three VT towns and in Hardwick, MA before moving to Orleans in1967. They kept close ties with dear friends from wherever they lived.
Catherine touched so many lives with her kind and thoughtful ways. The kitchen table always had an extra seat for anyone in need of a meal, a listening ear, or a good laugh. She and her husband set an example of hard work and good, clean living that compared to the Walton’s and their children feel blessed to have been raised in such a safe haven. Catherine loved to read and garden and was an excellent seamstress. She could turn a rainy day into an adventure.
She became a beloved fixture at Orleans Elementary School where she worked as secretary to the town nurse for ten years. She was also a school health aide and tenderly cared for bumps and bruises, checked temperatures and comforted those with upset tummies. She also worked at the school for several years as a classroom aide which gave her much joy. Catherine did volunteer work for the Salvation Army, The American Cancer Society, The Heart Association and was a Girl Scout leader and Youth Group leader at the Federated Church of Orleans.
Catherine was a selfless, angelic caretaker of her mother and mother-in-law, Irene Coombs, and her husband in his last years.
Besides her parents and husband, Catherine was predeceased by her brothers Jim and Tom; nieces Carol and Janet Richard, She is survived by her six children: John Coombs; Mary Coombs and husband William Young; Joanne Coombs; Steven Coombs and partner Brian Schnetzer; Jean Dansak and husband Greg; Kathleen Argo and husband Walter; her grandchildren: Tony and Robyn Argo; Amelia, Charlotte and Eliza Young; Nick and Joe Dansak; Andy Dansak and wife Nikol and great-grandson, Alexander. She also leaves sisters-in-law Joan Richard and Mae Pettengill; many nieces and nephews and a large extended family. She will be greatly missed by all.
A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life in late spring to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. www.alzfdn.org/.
For on-line condolences and guest book please visit nickersonfunerals.com.
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