Obituary of Ruth Y. (Gness) Coombs

Ruth Yvonne Coombs, 89, beloved wife of the late Thomas Coombs, died peacefully due to complications related to congestive heart failure early on Thursday morning, March 29, 2018 while surrounded by her loving family at the North Shore Medical Center Salem Hospital. Ruth was born in Peabody on August 5, 1928, the daughter of the late Lea (Lemay) and Michael Gness. Raised and educated in Peabody she resided in the city all of her life until joining the assisted living community at Brookdale in Danvers. Ruth worked with her family for many years at Gness Home Bakery in Peabody. She later worked for the Peabody School Department Accounts Payable Department, a position she held for many years before retirement. In her younger years she and late husband Tom enjoyed dancing, skiing and spending time with their family and many friends. She also attended the Explorer’s Life Long Learning Program at Salem State University and the Polish Russian Lithuanian American Citizen's Club in Danvers. Ruth’s family would like to extend their gratitude to her friends and the entire staff at Brookdale Assisted Living at Danvers for the exceptional care and support extended to their mother. She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Diane and John Kerivan of Groveland, and Patricia and David Durfee of N. Scituate, RI; a son, Michael; her cherished grandchildren, Kevin, Kyle, Elizabeth, Sarah Durfee and her husband Matt Mayer, Amy Marks and her husband Kevin, and Laura Kerivan and her husband David Thacker; three great grandchildren, Isabel Marks, Evelyn Marks and Escher Thacker; as well as three nieces and a nephew. She was also predeceased by sisters Marilyn Smith and Helen Rewinski, her brother Philip Levesque. Her family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, April 4th from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at 82 Lynn St., Peabody which will be followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. St. Ann Church, 140 Lynn St., Peabody. Burial will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery Peabody. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to your favorite charity. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.