 COOMBS, Bernice Ann "Bea"
(nee Batchelor)
January 27, 1929 - March 16, 2013
With family in attendance, Bea passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary. Bea was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan on a chilly, prairie, winter day: Sunday, January 27, 1929. She had many fond memories of her years growing up on the North Battleford hospital grounds with her siblings. With hospital care- giving in her blood, Bea ventured into psychiatric nursing in Ponoka, where she met the man of her dreams, her best friend and love of her life, Ralph Coombs. From the day they were married, July 3, 1954, Bea devoted all her time and energy to creating a home, a haven, a refuge, filled with love for her husband and her treasured children, which overflowed onto any family guests. Everyone found "home" with Bea. Her expressions of love were evidenced through her endless hours of reading and singing goofy songs to her kids and grandkids, preparing favorite family recipes, playing UNO and cribbage, caring for the sick, knitting afghans, slippers and scarves to keep family warm, and ensuring everyone entrusted to her care was safe. Her love was abundant, pure and sacrificial, an example to all and a legacy for generations to come. Bea is survived by her adoring husband of 59 years, Ralph Coombs; daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and John Schlosar, Glenda and Ralph Dubienski, Susan Taylor; son and daughter-in-law, Brian Coombs and Candace Hicks; seven doting grandchildren and their spouses: Jay and Tamara, Mat, Jenn and Oliver, Tara, Kevin and Bekah, Jill and Kathy and Shane; and one really great great-grandchild: Linus. Her sisters, Barbara (Leo) Wahl, Betty (Harold) Steele, and Bev (Don) Bleaney, who accompanied her in everything from church choir to tomfoolery, predeceased Bea. Bea generously supported many charitable organizations but empowering marginalized Rwandan women brought her great joy in her latter years. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Name Parish (2223 – 34 Street S.W., Calgary) on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. (please note the day has changed to Saturday) followed immediately by a celebration of her life of love and nurture in the church hall. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Respectfully suggested, memorial donations may be made to the "Bea Coombs Vocational School Memorial Fund" online at www.canadahelps.org/ DonationDetails.aspx?cookieCheck=true or by cheque payable to Hopethiopia/Rwanda, 19 Elbow River Point, Calgary, AB T3Z 2V1. Please mention "Bea Coombs Memorial" in the memo line. Bea's family was truly blessed by the exceptional care extended to her in her last days and would like to recognize and thank the staff of the Rockyview Hospital Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Units 71 and 73. A special thanks goes to Ralph and Bea's kind, attentive neighbors and the caring staff at The Manor at Garrison Woods. In living memory of Bea Coombs, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Published in The Calgary Herald from March 20 to March 22, 2013
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