Obituary of Nancy D. Combs

Nancy Dean Combs, 87, of Burdett, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at home surrounded by her children. She was born in Reynoldsville, NY on June 25, 1937, the daughter of Paul and Reva Landon Dean, the youngest of five girls. Nancy was the loving wife of the late Fay E. Combs. They were married on December 31, 1956 and were happily married for 60 years. Fay adored her and knew that he would marry her the first time he met her. Their legacy and greatest accomplishment was their family. Nancy was adored by her children Julie Faye (James) O'Brien, Valerie Jane (Michael) Moore, Raymond Martin (Lisa) Combs, and the late James Dean "Jimmy" Combs; ten grandchildren, Jessica (Gerlando) Purpura, Stephanie (John) Parente, Michelle (Nicholas) Huber, Alicia (Cole) Bubb, Krista (Eric) Brunner, Lindsy (Patrick) Hyer, Bradley (Nadia) Combs, Matthew (Brittany) Combs, Steven (Sarah) Combs, and Deanne (David) Houseknecht; 21 great grandchildren, Salvatore, Michael, Sofia, and Luca Purpura; Giovanni and Anthony Parente; Timothy, Everett, and Julia Huber; Mason and Morgan Bubb; Evan and Collin Brunner; Raelynn and Patrick Hyer; Izza Combs; Valor and Eden Combs; Clive, Jude, and Mabel Combs; and her many adored nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her Husband, Fay E. Combs, and her youngest son, James D. "Jimmy" Combs. She was also predeceased by her four sisters and brothers- in- law, Dora (William) Bush, Velma (Donald) Teeter, Ruth (Merve) Hammond, and Jane (Andrew) Simmons.

Nancy grew up in Reynoldsville and attended the one room Reynoldsville School, Watkins Glen High School, and graduated from Interlaken Central School in 1954. She was full of spunk and always quick whited. She played the clarinet in the band and performed in high school plays. After marriage, she spent many years raising her children and being a homemaker. She returned to the workforce when her youngest child went to school and worked at the Baker Institute at Cornell University for over 20 years. In retirement, she spent as much time as she could with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and also enjoyed traveling with her husband to Florida. She found joy spending time with extended family at the annual Dean Family Reunion and found new friendships at the Trumansburg Senior Citizens Club.

Nancy was full of life and loved everyone. She was the first person to make a meal, or offer to help in any situation. She ironed everything and wouldn't leave the house without her earrings and scarf. Nancy spent many hours baking for and serving at Reynoldsville United Methodist Church. Her faith carried her through many difficult losses and illnesses. She never missed a thing, whether it was a birthday, a holiday, or a game one of her kids or grandkids played in. She sent handwritten cards and notes to every family member, friend, and community member as often as she could and for every occasion.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 1-3 pm at the Montour Falls United Methodist Church, 124 Owego St., Montour Falls, NY. The funeral will begin at 3:00 pm. There will be a private burial held for the family where she will be laid to rest at the Union Cemetery of Hector. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jimmy Dean Combs Scholarship Fund at Watkins Glen Central School, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Reynoldsville United Methodist Church.