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Edmã©E Combs

October 29, 1925 — October 5, 2012

Edmã©E Combs

Edmée Schaefer Combs passed away in Wyomissing, PA on Oct 5th, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in New York on October 29th 1925 to Rudolph J. and Lucia M. Schaefer. She was the first of their four children and was raised in Larchmont, NY. Edmée is a graduate of The Sacred Heart Convent, Maplehurst, NY and medical assistant school at The Paine Hall School, New York City.

In 1945, at the age of nineteen Edmée married Bill Combs who had just graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point.. After an initial posting at Ft. Benning, GA Edmée endured Bill's overseas deployment in the Pacific during the waning days of World War II. She returned to the NY area and began the first of many volunteer positions with the American Red Cross and other hospital organizations.

Shortly after the war ended, Edmée and Bill initially settled down in New Rochelle, NY, where Bill became a graduate brewmaster for the F&M Schaefer Brewing Company. In a span of seventeen years, Bill and Edmee had nine children. She is survived by Bill (Vicki) Combs, George (Maryann) Combs, Lucia (John) Geraci, Noël (Joe) Garapola, all of Wyomissing, PA, Edmée 'Toni' Combs West, West Chester,PA, Jerry (Nancy) Combs, Devon,PA, Suzanne Combs (Jim) Williamson, Naperville, IL and Tom Combs of Tunkhannock,PA She has 27 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

She is also survived by Janet Udall Schaefer, her brother William M. (Gwen) Schaefer, Albany, NY and sisters-in-law, Jane I. Schaefer, Stonington, CT and Carol Syversen and Cynthia Combs both in New York.

Edmée was predeceased by her husband, Bill Combs, her son, Richard Combs, her granddaughter, Mimi Barrett, and her siblings Lucy Schaefer Pedersen and Rudolph J. Schaefer III. Edmée was a loving, caring mother who had tremendous patience and wisdom. She continued her volunteer career at many of the hospitals in their local community, constantly giving back and showing her tremendous love of life and care for other people. She was a founding member of the Paoli Hospital auxiliary, and a 'Pink Lady' at Bryn Mawr Hospital for many years. She was honored to have served on the Pennsylvania Electoral College during the 1984 Presidential Election.

She was an ardent supporter of her husband, supporting and encouraging him in his career and business ventures. In 1969 they founded the Tamaqua Cable Products Corp in Schuylkill Haven, Pa and continued to live in Villanova, Pa. Edmee and Bill retired in 1986, splitting their time between Pennsylvania and Key Largo, Florida. After Bill passed away in 2009, Edmée lived in Wyomissing.

Services will be private for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the The Mimi Barrett Fund for Brain Tumor Research, Children's Hospital Chop Foundation, Lock Box 1352, P.O. Box 8500, Philadelphia, PA 19178.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edmã©E Combs, please visit our flower store.

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