Shirley J. Coombes

Shirley J. Ward Coombes
West Almond
Shirley J. Coombes age 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday (December 8, 2024) at UR Jones Hospital in Wellsville, with her loving family by her side.
She was born on June 11, 1931 in Allentown, NY. She was the daughter of Orrin and Genevieve Linza Ward. In November of 1948 she married Robert Mehlenbacher of Angelica and they had 2 daughters Karen and Terry. Robert predeceased her in 1958. She later married Donald Coombes of West Almond in April of 1960.
Shirley had several jobs besides being a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother to lots of grandchildren. She worked in the cafeteria at Angelica Central School, and was also a bus driver, being one of the first women bus drivers for Angelica. She was also one of the first women to join the Angelica Fire Department. Shirley also worked for BOCES in Belmont, retiring in 1993. She was a longtime member of the Angelica Baptist Church.
She is survived by 5 children: Bonnie (Joe) Nelson, Donna Coombes, William (Stephanie) Coombes, Robert (Teresa) Ward Jr., Brian (Mary) Ennis, a special grandson that she helped raise Jason (Angel) Hallock, her brother Jerry (Barb) Ward, her sister Anita (Bob) Cimbricz, her son in law Tim Allen, several grand, great, and great great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husbands Bob and Don, her daughters Terry Allen, and Karen Paulman, 3 brothers Lawrence, Gilbert and Erwin Ward, and a sister Betty Ramsey.
The family will be present to receive friends on Thursday (December 19, 2024) from 4-7pm at the Brown & Powers Funeral Home in Angelica, where Funeral services will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 7pm with Pastor David Ford officiating. A private burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Friendship.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Angelica Fire Department PO Box 154 Angelica NY 14709.
To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @ Brown Powers FH.