Kathleen Coombe

Kathleen Coombe (née Jennings) died peacefully on April 15 at the age of 86. Kathleen is survived by her son, John Coombe and his wife, Rosalia; her daughter, Mary Coombe; her daughter, Elizabeth Hoag and her husband, Thomas; her son, James Coombe and his wife, Judith; and her grandchildren, Kiley, Danielle, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Althea and Hadley. She was predeceased by her brother, John Jennings; sister, Patricia Welch; granddaughter, Olivia; and ex-husband, John Coombe.
Born in 1930 in Salem, Mass., to Joseph and Delpfine Jennings, Kathleen graduated from Salem High School in 1947. She then attended Boston University and graduated with a degree in business in 1951. Kathleen first worked as a teacher in Vermont. Later she worked for General Electric in Lynn, where she joined the outdoor club. Kathleen enjoyed participating in many adventures, including hiking and skiing. It was there she met her husband, John Coombe. Kathleen worked until her retirement at Salem State College. She enjoyed teaching her children the love of music and dancing. Kathleen loved skiing during the winter months with her extended family for most of her life. Her children remember her as a kind and caring mother and a devoted Red Sox fan.
A Funeral Mass is scheduled for April 29 at 9 a.m. at The Immaculate Conception Church, 15 Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, MA. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, 226 North St., Salem, MA. Arrangements by Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., Salem, MA, 978-744-0497 or visit www.murphyfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank the staff at Scarborough Terrace in Scarborough, Maine for Kathleen's recent care.