Obituary of Jean Holcombe Gottas

Jean Holcombe Gottas of State College, PA, passed away on November 2nd, 2021 after living a full life filled with love, laughter, and fun. She was born on March 27, 1937, in Williamsport, PA, the daughter of the late Vell C. Holcombe and Mary Josephine Eck Holcombe. On June 13, 1959, she married James W. Lundy; they later divorced. On October 9, 1999, she married Charles E. Gottas of Springfield, MO, a man whom she loved dearly and who treated her like a princess. Mr. Gottas passed away in 2007.

Jean graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1959 with a B.S. in Home Economics, where she made many friends that she kept in touch with over the years. She was an active collegiate member of Alpha Omicron PI fraternity and was very involved in the local alumnae chapter after graduation. While living in State College and raising six children, she was an active supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, was a Competent Toastmaster (CTM), a member of the Color Slide Club and the Central PA Orchid Society. After moving to Missouri, she became interested in watercolor painting and was a member of the Splatter Studio, Studio 55 Fine Art Guild, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

She was employed as an Outreach Specialist for the State College Area School District, Community Education Department. Later, she served as a Research Coordinator in the Psychology Department of the Pennsylvania State University for seven years until her retirement.

Jean enjoyed volunteering for four years at the local rehabilitation hospital holding watercolor painting lessons for patients. Painting greeting cards was another pastime she loved and many who received her beautiful cards framed them. She painted with friends often and was an excellent teacher to anyone interested in learning to do watercolor painting.

She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her compassion; the loving acts of kindness that she did for so many people that she knew; her ability to connect and relate to others; her sense of love and vitality; and her extraordinary art paintings, among other things. She lived life with a positive attitude and modeled the compassion of Christ by visiting friends, taking flowers and food to the sick, and sending cards of cheer or sympathy to those who needed it. She was humble and never sought to be acknowledged or thanked for her generous deeds.

She was an exemplary mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren in so many ways. Well beyond hosting decades of family meals, she nurtured and encouraged her children to think big and be all that they could be. Her door was always open and she was always there with a smile and listening ear. She taught by example what it means to live a life well lived. She will be remembered and missed by many beyond her immediate family.

She is survived by four sons: James W. (Patricia) Lundy of Morgan Hill, CA; Joseph J. (Lisa M.) Lundy of Greensburg, PA; Edward V. (Toni) Lundy of State College, PA; John C. (Julia) Lundy of State College, PA; and two daughters: Lisa A. Lundy of State College, PA, and Sharleen M. Dickinson (Scott) of Boothbay, ME. She is also survived by stepdaughters Roberta Peterson of Fulton, MO; Judy (Ross) Young of Preston, ID; Melinda (Peter) Leitner of Ashland, VA; and Kristin (Fred) Beahm of Nashville, TN. Also surviving are her sister and brother: Mary Irene Tubach of Laporte, PA and Vell (Barbara) Holcombe of Milton, PA. Jean was predeceased by three sisters-in-law, Ruth Maul, Eleanor Nichols, and Mildred "Mimi" L. Wright and one brother-in-law, Wayne Tubach. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A celebration of her life (visitation) will be held at the Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College on Friday, November 5, 2021 from 5-7pm. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 10:30am, with Father George Jakopac officiating. 

Burial will be in the Mountain Ash Cemetery in Laporte, PA, at the convenience of the family.

Memorials may be made to an organization of the donor's choice or to the General Education Fund, in care of the Springfield Art Museum, 1111 East Brookside Drive, Springfield, MO 65807, or the Sullivan County Scholarship Fund, Sullivan County High School, Laporte, PA 18626.