Donna Coombs

Donna Anderson Coombs, 74, of Bridgton, passed away peacefully after a long struggle with multiple myeloma on Saturday, April 23, 2016. Donna was a loving mother, wife, and a strong, brave, courageous and much loved lady who continued smiling, even when pained by her disease.

Donna was born in Hartford, Conn., on July 30, 1941, to Theodore Sigfrid Anderson and Lucy Mae Van Epps Anderson. Her early education was in Hartford. Her parents moved to Glastonbury, Conn., when she was in elementary school, and she graduated from Glastonbury High School in 1959. Following high school, Donna entered Westbrook Junior College, where she met her husband Richard S. Coombs. They married following her graduation on June 10, 1961. When her husband began teaching at Bridgton High School, they moved to Bridgton in 1963. Donna stayed at home raising her two daughters, and returned to work at Bridgton High School in the principal's office and continued working in the school library at Lake Region High School.

Donna began her professional career in the insurance industry with Travelers Insurance Co. and its affiliated insurance agencies. Donna most recently was employed with Smithwick & Mariners Insurance Agency in Falmouth. Donna was a dedicated, active member of the Insurance Professionals of Greater Portland and served as president for several terms. She received numerous awards and citations for her professional achievements and dedication.

Donna was also active in her community. She was a Charter and Honorary Member of the Bridgton Lake Region Rotary Club serving as president. She supported local organizations: the Bridgton Historical Society, the Bridgton Public Library, the Naples Library, Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, and Lakes Environment Association. Donna was active in the First Congregational Church UCC in Bridgton, and served as Moderator and Trustee as well as on many church boards and committees.

Donna loved cooking and baking. She would try out recipes that she saw on cable TV cooking shows. Marjorie Standish’s recipes were some of her favorites. Donna was famous for her custard pies, which were in big demand at church pie sales. Baking sugar cookies with her grandchildren brought her great joy.

Donna was a charter member of the Maine Notary Association and served as Dedimus Justice. She married several couples at interesting venues. Weddings were performed at Hacker's Hill in Casco, Hemlock Bridge in Fryeburg, and Shawnee Peak in Bridgton.

Donna was predeceased by her parents, Theodore and Lucy Mae Anderson, her sisters Lilyan Wilson, Lois Lennox and Karen Jo Anderson; her brothers Arvid and Harold Anderson; and infant son, Jonathan Spencer Coombs. Donna is survived by her husband Richard; daughter Martha Salo and her husband Michael; daughter Sarah Scott and her husband Jonathan; two grandchildren, Ethan Spencer Scott and Abigail Anderson Scott; her sister Betty Twiss and her husband Robert Twiss of South Orleans, Mass.; nieces Barbara Hurley Hall, Bel Air, Md., Janet Rawlings and her husband Fred of Stockton, Md., Karen McCleskey and her husband Randall of Dallas, Tex., and Karen Twiss of Stuart, Fla.; nephews Jeffries Anderson and his wife, Barbara of Kerrville, Tex., Clifford Lennox and his wife Leslie Jones-Lennox of Guilford, Conn., Craig Lennox of Centerbrook, Conn., and Chris Lennox of Chester, Conn.; and several great, and great-great-nephews and nieces.

Visiting hours will be held at the Hall Funeral Home on Quaker Ridge in Casco from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Thursday, April 28. A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church UCC in Bridgton on Friday, April 29, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhomeinc.com. In lieu of flowers please make donations to either the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter or Bridgton Hospital in her honor.