SOUTH GLENS FALLS – Betty
Jean Combs, 97, formerly of Fortsville and South Glens Falls, went into the
arms of the Lord, on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022, at The Wesley Health Care Center,
Saratoga Springs, NY. After moving from
her home in South Glens Falls, Betty resided at The Oaks Independent Living
Facility in Fort Edward for nearlyfifteenyears and then to The
Landing, Assisted Living Facility in Queensbury before moving to Wesley
Health Care.
Born
on February 14, 1925, in Fort Anne, NY, she was the daughter of the late
Beecher H. and Matilda (Tripp) Combs.
Until
retirement, Betty was employed at General Electric in Fort Edward, NY, for most
of her working years.
Betty
loved a variety of sports in her younger years including skiing, golfing,
ladies softball and for many years, participating on a bowling league with her sister,
Ruth. She was also an avid camera buff
and belonged to a local Photography Club.
Betty, along with her longtime friend Georgiana Golden (Georgie), not
only loved taking photographs but developing her own pictures. Her many photos and slides were carefully
categorized and she loved hosting “movie nights” for family and friends. She also enjoyed going to the theatre and
attended many concerts.
At
the age of fourteen while in school, Betty learned how to hook rugs. She later joined clubs and became quite skilled
in this somewhat lost art, creating a number of beautiful rugs which are still
enjoyed by family members today.
Betty
belonged to the Fortsville United Methodist Church for many years. Each Saturday evening (in season) she would
walk to the church with her mother and sister bringing bouquets of their
homegrown flowers for the Sunday service.
For years Betty worked on the “Apple Pie Committee”, beginning in the
early morning hours baking many pies to profit their small church. While still warm they would deliver to anxiously
awaiting loyal customers.
Betty
did a fair amount of traveling with family and friends to include visiting the
Hawaiian Islands, an Alaskan Cruise, and trips to Florida, Maine and throughout
New England. She loved spending time
with family and friends, going to the beach and making her homemade ice cream,
delighting all who were present, especially her nephew and two nieces.
In
addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Roger B. Combs and
sister, Ruth C. Combs. Betty was also predeceased
by her sister-in-law, Marion (Geer) Combs as well as many cousins with whom she
was very fond of.
She
is survived by her nephew, Michael Combs and his wife, Bonnie, of Greer, SC; her
two nieces, Martha Boyd and her husband, Dick, of Bolton Landing, NY and Sharon
Combs of Tavares, FL. She is also
survived by her cousin, Craig Leslie of Lakeland, FL, Wayne Tripp of Cedar
Grove, WI, several great-nieces and great-nephews and many extended family
members.
Our
special thank-you goes to Michelle Call who was a true friend and companion to
Betty. When Betty saw her coming, she
would smile and shout, “Here’s my friend, here’s my friend!!” Michelle spent much time with Betty during
her final days. Thank you, Michelle, for
all you did to comfort our Aunt.
Memorial
donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center
Drive, PO Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950; Macular Degeneration Research,
22512 Gateway Center Drive, PO Box 1952, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1952, or to the
charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements
are under the care of Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main
Street, Hudson Falls, NY.
There
will be no calling hours.
Burial
will be at Union Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward, NY at the
convenience of the family.