Constance Lorraine Coombs

Connie Coombs passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Copper Ridge Nursing Home in Butte, MT. She was 84.

Connie was born in St. Vincent, MN, on December 26, 1941. The fourth of five children, she attended school in St. Vincent and shortly after decided to join her older sisters in Montana. She was living in Three Forks when she met her husband, Darrel, in 1962. They were married for 52 years. She followed Darrel to Dillon until he finished his teaching degree in 1965, at which time they moved to Judith Gap. They lived there until Darrel took a teaching position in Philipsburg, where they both eventually retired. Connie worked for many years as a waitress and at the hospitals in both Harlowton and Philipsburg.

Connie had a tremendous affection for all animals, especially stray dogs and cats. She was known to pick up a stray, throw it in her fancy car, and take it home and adopt it for the rest of its life, giving her animals all the luxuries possible. She loved and spoiled them all - Mignon, Aspen, Annie, Marley, Mandy, Chancey…and the list goes on.

Connie was a loyal and loving wife to Darrel, her husband, and a wonderful and attentive mother to her sons, Joe and Doug.

She was also generous and giving to the less fortunate in her community. She was a loyal friend and had many special people in her life who were touched by her generosity and loving heart.

Connie survived the harsh and long winters of Central Montana by taking up ceramics. During her years in Judith Gap, she completed numerous beautiful ceramic figurines and Christmas characters. The holidays were special to Connie. She spent a lot of time using her talent to decorate her home, which she was very proud of.

Connie put up a courageous battle against cancer but finally succumbed to the disease on May 23, 2026. She passed away at the Copper Ridge Nursing Home in Butte, with her family and loyal health care workers by her side.

Connie is survived by her children, Joe (Emily) Coombs, Doug (Deb) Coombs (Bozeman), her nieces and nephews, Greg (Susan) Stockburger (Three Forks), Joyce (Steve) Dobbs (Sheridan, MT), Jerry (Sandi) Short, and Joan (Mike) Holzer (Gillette).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Lorraine Gooselaw, her husband, Darrel Coombs, her sisters and brother, Mary (Don) Stockburger, Frances (Robert) Short, Lois Ann (Richard) Heuring, Doug Gooselaw, her niece Valerie Woolard, and nephew Wayne Huering.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Pintler Pets Humane Society in Anaconda.

The Coombs family would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at Copper Ridge Nursing Home, her oncologist, Dr. Heuftle, and her hospice care team of Jasmine and Melia from Headwaters Hospice.

A Funeral Liturgy Service will take place in Philipsburg, MT, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 10:30 am at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, followed by a luncheon reception in the Parish Hall. Burial will follow later that afternoon at 3:30 pm at Fairview Cemetery in Three Forks, MT.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home is privileged to care for Constance and her family.