Edmée Schaefer Combs

Edmée Schaefer Combs, formerly of Villanova, passed away in Wyomissing, on Oct. 5, 2012, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in New York on Oct. 29, 1925, to Rudolph J. and Lucia M. Schaefer. She was the first of their four children and was raised in Larchmont, N.Y. Edmée is a graduate of The Sacred Heart Convent, Maplehurst, N.Y. and medical assistant school at The Paine Hall School, New York City.
In 1945, at the age of 19, Edmée married Bill Combs, who had just graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. After an initial posting at Ft. Benning, Ga., Edmée endured Bill's overseas deployment in the Pacific during the waning days of World War II. She returned to the New York area and began the first of many volunteer positions with the American Red Cross and other hospital organizations.
Shortly after the war ended, Edmée and Bill initially settled down in New Rochelle, N.Y., where Bill became a graduate brewmaster for the F&M Schaefer Brewing Co. In a span of 17 years, Bill and Edmée had nine children.
She is survived by Bill (Vicki) Combs, George (Maryann) Combs, Lucia (John) Geraci, Noël (Joe) Garapola, all of Wyomissing, Edmée 'Toni' Combs West, West Chester, Jerry (Nancy) Combs, Devon, Suzanne Combs (Jim) Williamson, Naperville, Ill., and Tom Combs of Tunkhannock. She has 27 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by Janet Udall Schaefer, her brother, William M. (Gwen) Schaefer, Albany, N.Y., and sisters-in-law, Jane I. Schaefer, Stonington, Conn., and Carol Syversen and Cynthia Combs, both in New York.
Edmée was predeceased by her husband, Bill Combs; her son, Richard Combs; her granddaughter, Mimi Barrett; and her siblings Lucy Schaefer Pedersen and Rudolph J. Schaefer III.
Edmée was a loving, caring mother who had tremendous patience and wisdom. She continued her volunteer career at many of the hospitals in their local community, constantly giving back and showing her tremendous love of life and care for other people. She was a founding member of the Paoli Hospital Auxiliary, and a "Pink Lady" at Bryn Mawr Hospital for many years. She was honored to have served on the Pennsylvania Electoral College during the 1984 presidential election.
She was an ardent supporter of her husband, supporting and encouraging him in his career and business ventures. In 1969 they founded the Tamaqua Cable Products Corp in Schuylkill Haven, and continued to live in Villanova. Edmée and Bill retired in 1986, splitting their time between Pennsylvania and Key Largo, Fla. After Bill passed away in 2009, Edmée lived in Wyomissing.
Services will be private for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the The Mimi Barrett Fund for Brain Tumor Research, Children's Hospital, PO Box 827790, Philadelphia,PA 19182.
Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded atwww.kuhnfuneralhome.com.