Mary Combs died peacefully in her sleep early in the morning, Nov. 15 with her family by her side. She was 87 years old. Her funeral Mass will be held at Saint Michael’s Church in Palmer on Thursday at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Mary asked that donations be made to the Palmer Food Bank and the Palmer Salvation Army.

 Mary Combs was born Oct. 18, 1921 in Phoenix, Ariz. She was the youngest of four children of Frederick and Anna Jennings. Mary was preceded in death by her sister Thelma Jennings, and two older brothers, Charles and Harvey Jennings.

  Mary graduated from Phoenix Union High School in 1939, having met her future husband, Earl Combs, during her junior year of school. Mary and Earl were married on June 7, 1941 in Phoenix.  Mary and Earl made plans to travel to Alaska, “just for a year to see what it was like.” They remained residents of the Mat-Su Valley the rest of their lives. Mary and Earl purchased a Burma Jeep with a trailer and a year’s supply of food, leaving Phoenix on Nov. 1, 1947. They arrived in Palmer on Christmas Day. The couple decided to homestead and selected 160 acres on Hayfield Road, 8 miles from downtown Wasilla.

  After clearing enough land to build a home, Earl went to work for Evan Jones Mine while Mary managed the homestead. She always prided herself in being a true homesteader’s wife, hauling spring water and bringing in wood for the barrel stove. Mary even shot a bull moose from the front porch of the farm house. Mary and Earl met tremendous people during this time, who remained life-long friends.

  Earl was injured in the war during mustard gas training and inhaled enough to barely escape with his life. Four of his buddies were killed during the exercise. This, along with asthma and the dust from farming, resulted in the Combs family leaving their farm and moving to Palmer in 1962. Earl went to work selling insurance for a local insurance agency while Mary worked as a bookkeeper for Matanuska Maid and later, Koslosky’s Department Store.

  In 1967, Mary and Earl purchased the insurance agency and went into business for themselves. Although Earl died in 1982; during her retirement party in April of 2007, Mary celebrated her 40th year of being the bookkeeper at her business. She was surrounded by friends and family who paid a living tribute for her dedication to her business as well as her many contributions to the community.

 A stalwart member of the Democratic Party, Mary served as vice-president of the Democratic State Central Committee and in 1988, she was named, Democrat of the Year. In 1990, she was again honored by her party, receiving the Jim Doogan Memorial Award.

   Other contributions Mary made include: 1976 - Helping to bring semi-pro baseball to the Valley as the original vice-president of the board of directors for the Valley Green Giants who later became the Mat-Su Miners. She remained a member of the organization and from her box seat behind the umpire; she led the crowd in, “Take Me out to the Ball Game,” during the seventh-inning stretch. Later, for many years, Mary collected tickets at the gate until she was unable to do so. In 1985, she was named the, Alaskan Baseball Woman of the Year, by the U.S. Baseball Association. The 2002 Miner’s season was dedicated to Mary in appreciation by the baseball fans throughout the Valley. Through her business, Mary has supported Palmer Little League for 41 years.

 Mary Combs was vice-president of the Woman and Children’s Health Association; belonged to the Woman of the Moose; a member of the Pioneers of Alaska, and the American Legion. Additionally, from 1970 – 1991, Mary was on the planning board and later the foundation board for the Valley Hospital. An active member of the Palmer Salvation Army, Mary served on the board of directors until 2006.

  In 1990, Mary received an award from the Alaska Independent Insurance Agents and Broker’s Association for community service. Mary was awarded, Citizen of the Year at the Palmer Pride Picnic by Mayor Jim Cooper in 2002. In 2004, she also received the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce, “Person of the Year” and a Legislative Citation for outstanding service to the community and the state of Alaska.

  A devoted member of Saint Michael’s Catholic Church, Mary became a participant in the Ladies of Charity, gathering food and clothing for those in need. Later, she worked for 15 years as a volunteer at the Palmer Food Bank. Mary also played the piano and organ at Sunday Mass for 30 years, and cashiered at Slippery Gulch at the Alaska State Fair. The name, Slippery Gulch was coined by her husband. During this time, Mary became a member of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. This organization is dedicated to the preservation and propagation of the faith and the protection of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. Mary held the title of Lady Grand Commander at her death.

 Mary Elizabeth Combs is survived by her four sons; Bill and wife Miriam of North Seattle, Washington, John and his wife Linda of Palmer, Mike and his wife Cheryl of the Matanuska Valley, Ron and his partner Barbara who reside in the Butte, and her daughter, Valerie (Combs) Saunders, also living in Palmer. Mary leaves behind eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Following Earl’s death, Mary never re-married and now her family believes she is once again with the only man she ever truly loved.

 Mary’s final words to her family and friends were: “Remember; you have made my life wonderful, always.”