Obituary of Anita Coombs

Anita "Ann" Coombs, 89, of State College passed away on March 18, 2011 at The Fairways at Brookline. Ann was born in Tacoma, Washington on September 11, 1921. Shortly thereafter, she and her family moved to Shelby, Montana, where Ann spent the majority of her youth. Growing up in Shelby, Ann worked the family wheat farm, driving the tractor, and riding a bay pony named "Bill" to herd the cows early in the morning. Packing a .22 rifle, she would snipe gophers along the way. This, of course, was told by Ann in a newspaper article in the Montana Kaimin in 1940. She attended the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana, where she majored in Home Economics. At the University, Ann was member of the Delta Gamma Pi Chapter and remained very active with the Delta Gamma Alpha Chi Chapter at Penn State University, which her daughter, Mary Ann, is also a member. In 1942 Ann met the love of her life, Fred Coombs. They were married shortly thereafter in 1943 in Helena, Montana. Their marriage lasted 68 years until Fred predeceased her on December 22, 2010. Ann and Fred arrived in State College in 1946 when Fred accepted a position at Penn State as chairman of the Recreation & Park Curriculum. They joined Centre Hills Country Club in 1947 where Fred enjoyed playing golf and Ann loved to dine and dance to the music. They remained active members of the club for 60 years. Ann began her professional career with the Albert F. Williams Insurance Agency. In 1965 she obtained her Real Estate Broker's license, becoming one of the first women in the State to do so. Ann became the Broker of Record of University Realty, which has remained in the family as Coldwell Banker University Realty, currently owned and operated by her son, Tom. Ann was very involved and active with her children and grandchildren throughout her life. From Sunday school teacher, Brownie and Girl Scout leader, to figure skating at Whipple Dam and snow skiing adventures in California and Colorado. The true joy in Ann's life however was spending time with family and friends at their farm and vineyard in Colyer. She loved gardening, fishing, raising chickens and making wine from their vineyard. She and Fred enjoyed entertaining and took great pride that everything on the dinner table was a "fruit of their labor". One of Ann's delicacies was snapping turtle soup. She would collect Chlorox bottles from her friends and attach them to hooks to catch the turtles fresh from their pond. Ann is survived by her daughter, Mary Ann Latham (Jan Morin), of Mammoth Lakes, California; her son, Thomas Coombs (Kristen Hefkin) of State College; a grandson, C. David Coombs, of Hood River, Oregon; a granddaughter, Andrea Wildy (Martin Wildy), of State College; and a great-grandson, Aidan Wildy. Ann will be cremated in accordance with her wishes. Services and interment will be private. A memorial service celebrating Ann and Fred's life will be held in the Spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Centre County PAWS Inc., a non-euthanasia, volunteer enabled organization dedicated to the Promotion of Animal Welfare and Safety. Contributions can be mailed to 1401 Trout Road, State College, PA 16801 or online at centrecountypaws.org/donating. Arrangements by Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com.