Mary Jane Leake Combs
Saturday 7th of May 2022

Services
Funeral Service
Mary Jane Leake Combs, 90, of
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2022 at the Pete and
Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing and Hospice Care Center at Door County Medical
Center in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
Jane was born in Cleveland,
Ohio, but spent most of her childhood in Cincinnati and lived most of her adult
life in her beloved Lexington, Kentucky.
Jane
was an adventurous spirit who placed a high value on education. She went back to school in the early 1970’s to
complete her BA in Education at the University of Kentucky - even though she
was a mother of four young children at the time. Jane was an avid reader, and enjoyed
participating in numerous book clubs throughout her life. She also enjoyed traveling. Jane has been to all fifty states. And with Kilmer, her loving husband of 49
years, Jane enjoyed trips to far away destinations, including Australia and New
Zealand, Tahiti, Europe and Costa Rica.
Jane also believed in the
importance of giving back – a passion she passed on to her children and
grandchildren. For over twenty-five
years, Jane served as a volunteer for Hospice of the Bluegrass, helping
families navigate difficult end-of-life decisions. She was a proud member of the Lexington
Women’s Club and volunteered in a variety of ways at Good Shepherd Episcopal
Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Jane also
delivered meals to shut ins for Meals on Wheels and recorded audiobooks for the
Central Kentucky Reading for the Blind.
Throughout her life, Jane always
had many dear friends. She had a special
way of making others feel at ease. Many
have been touched by her kindness.
Jane was preceded in death by
her husband, C. Kilmer Combs – a senior partner at Wyatt Tarrant & Combs
law firm- and her son-in-law Michael Warren. She is survived by four children, Mike
Combs of Lexington, Kentucky, Celia Warren of Fountain Hills, Arizona, Reverend
Bill Combs (Jennifer) of Buford, Georgia, and Cathy Laba (Wally) of Sturgeon
Bay, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Jessica Eldridge(Dylan), Anne Warren, Emily
Combs and Sam Combs, and one great-grandchild, Oliver Eldridge.
Milward Funeral Directors are
entrusted with Jane’s service arrangements. A funeral service will be held at
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Tuesday, May 17th at noon. Burial
will follow at Lexington Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the
family requests donations be made to Hospice, St. Jude’s or Kentucky
Educational Television.
To share a remembrance of
Mrs. Combs or to offer condolences to her family, please visit
milwardfuneral.com.
Guest Book
LAURA ANSCHEL
saysDear Mike, Celia, Bill and Cathy, When I entered your apartment on Centre Parkway in 1972, I felt at home. Your mom welcomed me with open arms and humor. Throughout the years, spending the night at your house, whether at the apartment or at the house off Alumni Drive, became the happiest remembrances of my childhood. Much of that was due to your mom! The humor and fun in your household was special and I was lucky, very lucky, to be included. Your mom and my mom became and remain friends. Your mom has brought joy to my mom even as your mom suffered. She is one of the most amazing people I have met and left a profound influence on my life. I strived to make my home joyful--even though I definitely lack your mom's (and Cathy's) wonderful sense of humor. I thought of her often as crazy things happened in my household with my children, and was able to laugh and enjoy the moments. Your mom brought light everywhere she went. Thank you for sharing her with me!!!