Ann Holcomb, 100, a lifelong resident of Guilford, passed away peacefully on Dec. 13 at Connecticut Hospice. Ann was born Sept. 28, 1915, daughter of William and Adele (Umland) Hinners.
She is survived by her son William (Margaret) Holcomb and daughters Judy (William) Neubig and Marie(James) Ready; by grandsons William (Tracey) Holcomb, Chad Holcomb, Charles (Lorraine) Hill IV, Timothy (Susan) Hill, and Richard (Jennifer) Roth III; and by granddaughter Kathleen (Frank) Rimlinger. She also leaves many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; Judy’s stepdaughter Denise; stepsons Kenneth and David and their children; plus a host of long-time friends, including Charles Hill III, Richard Roth Jr., and Harold Ramsey, who drove her to church on Sundays.
She was predeceased by her husband Albert L. Holcomb in 1968; by brothers John, William, Charles, Henry, and Frederick; and by sisters Marie Hinners and Freida Tichy.
She devoted much of her life to volunteer activities. She volunteered at the West Haven VA hospital; delivered Meals on Wheels in Guilford until she was more than 90 years old; and was a friendly visitor for Guilford Interfaith Ministries. In recent months she very much enjoyed her own friendly visitor Jane. Many years ago when she was first widowed, she was asked to help blind veterans play bingo at the VA hospital with the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. At that time she had said she was starting to feel sorry for herself, being widowed so young. She came home after helping with the bingo and said. “Now those veterans have something to feel sorry about, and I don’t!” Thus began her years of volunteering. She was known for her friendly smile and giving nature
Ann has received numerous plaques and awards over the years and most recently on her 100th birthday she was honored at a special ceremony when the West Haven VA presented her with an American flag that flew over the hospital. She also received a letter of recognition from the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs for her exemplary service of 48 years and 14,000 plus hours serving veterans at VA hospitals in Connecticut.
Going to church was very important to her. She was a member of North Guilford Congregational Church for 85 years, and a member of the Kings Daughters. For many years, she was an avid bowler in her spare time.
Her family members were very much loved and very important to her, as were her close relationships with church members, VFW Auxiliary members, and her friends at Sachem Hollow, so much so that she considered them her second family. She will be sorely missed by so many people.
Church services will be held in North Guilford Congregational Church, 159 Ledge Hill Rd., on Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in North Guilford Cemetery. Friends may call Dec. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. Contributions in her memory may be made to VFW Aux Post 7666, 104 Mill Rd., Guilford; North Guilford Congregational Church, 159 Ledge Hill Rd., Guilford; or Guilford Interfaith Ministries, Suite #200, 310 State St., Guilford, CT 06437. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.
