Ann S. Combe

Ann Sharon Combe• 79 years old• Born on July 19, 1943 in Santa Monica, California, United States• Passed away on May 5, 2023 in Vancouver, Washington, United StatesAnn Sharon Combe, beloved mother of Jennifer, David, and Owen Combe, and cherished wife of Tami Hess, passed away May 5th 2023 at the age of 79. Ann was born on July 9th, 1943, to Beatrice and Frank Curfman. She grew up in Santa Monica, California and later went on to attend Seattle University and University of Portland. She was a first-generation college student with a full ride to UCLA whose adventurous spirit and love of nature led her to leave home on a train bound for the Pacific Northwest. An avid hiker and traveler, she spent many years exploring different parts of the world. She shared her love of learning, the outdoors, and traveling with her children who followed in her footsteps. That same spirit of adventure beckoned Ann to the Peace Corps in 1965 where she spent a year teaching English as a second language in rural Columbia. This experience was foundational in her becoming a teacher and giving back to the community. Back in the states after a decade of raising her young children, Ann became a Spanish teacher. Her love of building bridges across cultures led to teacher exchanges and hosting foreign exchange students. Axel Wolf became a second son to her and Zoranna Spasojevic, a second daughter. She started teaching at Evergreen High School in 1977 and then taught at Mountainview High School from where she retired in 2008. She had an unmatched zest for life and was a force that allowed her to move mountains when she needed to. This strength was with her as she raised three children with Emile. She had a tender side as well-she wrote the most beautiful letters that would land with heart and sensitivity. She also had a knack for saying just the right thing with the right tone at the right time. Annie was the backbone of her family and loved having her children and grandchildren over for holiday gatherings. Her tenderness and commitment to family fostered the healing that kept the family together through challenging transitions. When Tami and Annie married in 2013, they walked down the aisle accompanied by their former husbands and eldest children. This is a testament of their dedication to loved ones and moving through conflict with grace and vulnerability. Annie absolutely loved music. Emile and Annie met through their interest in Latin American folk songs which they would play and sing together on the guitar and requinto. They played their songs at gatherings and even serenaded diners in Mexican restaurants. She would sing lullabies to her children and grandchildren and loved live music. Tami and Annie went to Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlile concerts and would sing to their CDs on their adventures. She was one of the few people who actually seemed to get busier in retirement. She loved gardening, hiking, taking walks, and performing the ukulele with Tami and the Fairway Village ukulele band. In the second half of her life Ann grew to love watching sports and could be found watching Seahawks, Blazers, and Thorns games. In retirement Ann and Tami traveled the world including Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, as well as all over the U.S. If she wasn't traveling, she was planning her next adventure. Ann is survived by her loving wife Tami Hess, with whom she has been with for 24 years, her son Owen, his wife Amy and their children Ella and Evy, son David and wife Heidi and their children Olivia and Nora, daughter Jennifer and husband Matt and their children Lur and Emile as well as her former husband/partner, Emile Combe. Ann also had many loving friends; she will be dearly missed by all who knew her. A memorial for Ann will be held on Saturday, May 27 from 2:00 - 4:00 at Fairway Village Community Center located at 15509 S.E. Fernwood Drive, Vancouver, WA.Doctors Without BordersHabitat for HumanityWorld Central KitchenPlanned ParenthoodHispanic FederationPFLAGACLU

Ann S. Combe

July 9, 1943 - May 5, 2023