Margaret C. Combe

Margaret Susan (Cunningham) Combe passed peacefully into heaven to be with her late husband, Anthony L. Combe, on November 28, 2012. She was the daughter of the late Rose (Whalen) and Joseph Cunningham. Born in Middletown, February 26, 1920, Margaret attended St. John Church and was a parishioner there until marrying the love of her life, Anthony, in 1940. Margaret, or Peggy, as many knew her, took pride in making their home in Cromwell. While Anthony was in WWII, she helped keep the family business, The Standard Tire/Texaco gas station on the corner of William and Main Street Middletown, going, along with her friend and sister in law, Mrs. Rita (Ken) Hazel of Portland, until the war was over. Besides her loving daughters, Katherine Pellerin of Lebanon, and Teresa Fanska of Middlefield, Margaret is survived by her two grandchildren, Sarah Turner (and husband Douglas) and Gregory Fanska, all residing in Middletown, former son-in-law Stephen Fanska, many nieces and nephews, Combe in-laws, Jean, Polly, Henry, Rita, and countless friends from her days in Cromwell, Storrs, and more recently Wadsworth Glen in Middletown. Margaret was predeceased by her five siblings, Thomas, Joseph, George, Rose (Brainerd), Sally (Beasley) and also son-in-law, Norman Pellerin. Always with a cheery smile and a friendly greeting, our mom served on church committees, school functions, helped with Girl Scout events, and anywhere help was needed to continue a fulfilled life even after being widowed at age 49. More recently she loved attending her grandchildren's many school and sports functions, their graduations, and entertained us with stories of her trips to Ireland and other places in Europe. She always made time for a cup of tea as her Irish heritage was who she was. Burial will be private. There will be no calling hours, however a celebration of her life will be at a memorial Mass, St. John Church, Main Street Middletown, on her birthday, February 26, 2013, at 10:00 AM. All are welcome.