Obituary of Alyne Lacombe

 

Alyne Lacombe passed away peacefully at home on Monday, August 15th, 2022 after a long struggle with cancer. She was born on May 20th, 1937 to Mae and Felix Minor in Rotterdam, NY. She is survived by her husband Robert Lacombe and three adult children: Robert (Nancy) Lacombe Jr., Michael (Eileen) Lacombe, and Suzanne (Ian) Gibson. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Catie Lacombe, Paul Lacombe, Meg (Chase) O’Dell, Claire Lacombe, Gabe (Courtney) Lacombe, Emily Lacombe, Tess Lacombe, Ellie Lacombe, and Bertie Gibson. She is predeceased by her youngest son William (Wendy) Lacombe and a grandson, Preston Gibson.

 

Mrs. Lacombe will be remembered best for her deep devotion to her beloved children and grandchildren, as well as her kindness and caring for all who were privileged to know her. Her early life was filled with moving and travel in the Upstate NY area, until her marriage to Bob Lacombe in 1956. They settled in Corning, NY in 1965 where she and Bob raised her 3 boys to adulthood. She gave birth to her daughter, Suzanne, in 1979 and the family moved to North Forest Beach on Hilton Head Island where Suzanne was lovingly raised. She and Bob retired to Westbury Park in Bluffton, and then to Cypress Ridge in Bluffton, where she lived with her husband, daughter, son in law, grandson Bertie, and their dogs, Beau and Flower.

 

Lee’s lifelong education began at a one-room schoolhouse in the tiny hamlet of Grovenors Corners, NY and continued throughout her life. Her higher education included studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, Corning Community College, Elmira College, Cornell University, University of South Carolina (Beaufort), and Lindenwood College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in International Valuation Science in 1991. She owned and operated a personal property appraisal practice for many years. She was a published author in her field with her book: Estate Sales: The Ultimate Checklist. She was also a member of the American Society of Appraisers, accredited in Antiques & Decorative Arts, was President of ASA's Local Chapter as well as Secretary of ASA's Personal Property Committee.

 

She was an avid bird lover and watcher. Always near her was an old and dogeared “Birds of North America” manual, with her careful handwritten notes inside. She would often talk about the always-present bird feeders outside her window, what birds had visited, and how we might outwit the constant thievery of those dastardly squirrels.

 

One of her final favorite pleasures was to, at first, read stories to her grandson Bertie, and then later to be read-to by him with the satisfaction of the knowledge that he was learning and growing so very quickly. Some of her favorite gifts to give were a variety safety and personal protection equipment to keep her loved ones as safe as possible. This was typical for her as a sweet woman with an edge of protective “Mama-bird” intent.

 

She spent the full measure of her life giving to her family, her loved ones, and all people and animals she met (except squirrels). She laughed and cried freely, and always made all around her feel respected, comforted, and loved. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family is collecting plants for a private bird sanctuary in Lee's honor. More info: https://tinyurl.com/zwxjuxr8