Susan Jean Comba

Susan J. Comba

1942 - 2025

Susan Jean Comba (née Valentine) passed away on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Brightview South River Senior Living in Edgewater, Maryland, at the age of 83.

Susan was born to Alexander and Jean Valentine in Braddock, Pennsylvania, on March 17, 1942. She grew up in Pittsburgh, where she graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1960. Susan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Spanish from Indiana University of Pennsylvania; and she moved to the Washington, D.C., area in 1965, where she taught foreign languages at the junior high-school level. In 1968, she married Kenneth Comba, and they settled in the Marlton community of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where they raised two children. In her 50s, Susan returned to school, earning an associate's degree in music from Prince George's Community College. In 2000, the couple moved to Palm Coast, Florida. Susan spent her final years in Edgewater, where she was expertly cared for by her son and daughter-in-law.

Susan was a quirky soul with a very kind heart. In Marlton, she regularly hosted "salons" in which Ken played saxophone while she played guitar and sang in a voice that was uniquely her own. Susan loved a pun and a good word joke, and those who were lucky enough to spend time with her learned quickly that she never pronounced the first letter of the word "casserole." She had a joie de vivre that was infectious, and her great desire was to "paint the town pink" for those around her. She will be missed.

Susan is survived by her daughter, Gretchen Comba and her long-time companion Thomas Sullivan, Jr. of Richmond, VA; her son, Kenneth Comba, Jr. and his wife Kimberly of Edgewater, MD; three granddaughters, Devin Lambert (husband, Drake), Jodie Comba, and Tristan Comba; one great-granddaughter, Della Lambert; and dear friends, Mary Jane Jessup and Colleen Moore.

In addition to her parents, Susan was predeceased by her husband of 35 years, as well as her brother, Alexander Valentine, Jr.

Susan's family is grateful to all of the staff members at Brightview South River, whose warmth and compassion are without measure.

Memorial services will be held privately in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Susan's memory to: Prince George's Community College Foundation, Inc., 301 Largo Road, Largo, MD 20774.