"I grew up just down the road from Phyllis. We walked to school together and were in the same grade. I remember her as smart and an artist when it came to decorating our country school windows. She was a great friend! Submitted by: Rosemary (LaFleche) Hunt."
In loving memory of
PHYLLIS A. COOMBS
December 18, 1940 - August 4, 2021
Phyllis A. Coombs, 80, of Marquette, passed away Wednesday evening, August 4, 2021 at MediLodge of Munising.
Phyllis was born on December 18, 1940 in Alpena, MI to the late Henrich H. and Arline A. (Boettcher) Brandt. She was a 1958 graduate of Hillman High School and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education.
Phyllis was a substitute teacher at Marquette Public Schools for 20 years and then later Superior Central Schools in Eben. She enjoyed raising and caring for her family. She was a phenomenal gardener with her flowers, vegetables and fruit trees. She loved canning and baking, and made the best pies and breads. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, and they spent many hours hunting and fishing. She was a trophy angler with a 26 lb. Lake Trout, and enjoyed hunting whitetails at the family camp on the Escanaba River.
The last several years she spent time in Hillman, MI, her childhood home, where she was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Royston, MI, as well as a member of their Ladies Aid, and the Red Hat Society. She was also a volunteer for the Hillman All Class Reunion.
Phyllis is survived by her children, Lisa Ann (Thomas) Coombs-Gerou of Marquette and Milwaukee, WI, Shane Richard (Laurel) Coombs of Omro, WI, Aaron Charles (Angela) Coombs of Perkins, MI and Rhet Harrison (Wendy) Coombs of Marquette; grandchildren, Andrew Coombs, Megan Schober, Kylie Coombs, Nicole Gerou-Churches, Reilly Coombs, Shayla Coombs, Ashlyn Coombs, Ryan Hunt, Rachael Hunt and Isaac Cole; three great-grandchildren, Chloe, Orrin and Theo; siblings, Marjean (Albert) LaFleche of Hillman, MI, Janet Brandt of Swartz Creek, MI and Richard Brandt of Hillman; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Coombs on May 2, 2007, two daughters, Shawn Marie and Ivy Lynn and two siblings, Nelson Brandt and Joan James.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. Chad Ott officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. A luncheon will take place immediately after the service at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 526 N. Third St., Marquette and all are invited. Burial will take place at the Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Phyllis's memory to the U.P. Children's Museum, 123 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Coombs family where memories of Phyllis may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
Tributes
"My condolences to the Coombs family for the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Bruce Pesola "
"Extending to you and your family this heartfelt assurance of deep sympathy, Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education and Employees"
"Lisa, I am sorry to learn of your moms passing. I read with interest her obit as my best childhood friend is Mary Jane Boettcher ..and my parents lived in Hillman for a few years , where my dad was President of the bank...small world. My thoughts are with you....Pam Braddock Forsberg"