Our beautiful mother and wife, Sylva M. LaCombe, a longtime resident of Spokane, passed away at the age of 93 on March 1, 2022.

Sylva was born into a railroad family in Wilton, MN, on April 7, 1928 and was the youngest of 10 children born to Earl and Myrtle (Covey) McFarland.  Soon after, her family moved to Red Lake Falls, MN.  It was there that she met the love of her life Dailord (Dale) LaCombe at the Jewel Dance Club shortly after he returned home from WWII.  They married on June 10, 1948 and moved to Mentor, MN where they began their life together.  All four of their children were born while living in Mentor.  The family then moved to Spokane in 1959 where Dale worked for the post office.

Mom was a member of St. Francis of Assisi parish where she was involved in a variety of activities, including the Woman's Club and St. Elizabeth's Guild. She made many dear, life-long friends through her involvement with the church.

In 1967 she went to work for Holy Cross Cemetery. Her work brought her great satisfaction as she gently helped families through one of the most difficult times in life. She retired from there as assistant to the manager in 1990.

The center of Sylva's life was her family, which she kept very close. Mom loved being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and countless friends, especially on holidays and birthdays but mainly Christmas Eve. In the summer there were frequent gatherings at the family cabin at Loon Lake where you could often find her at happy hour surrounded by friends and family on the deck with a glass of chardonnay in her hand.

Mom was a very social person. Her love of dancing began at an early age and continued throughout her life, it was particularly evident while dancing with her husband. Travel was another one of her great pleasures. She traveled extensively in Europe, most of Central America and the Caribbean as well as all 50 states. She and dad made San Carlos, Mexico their winter home for over 25 years where they met and made many friends that she treasured throughout her lifetime.

Survivors include her husband of 73 years, Dale, son Paul, daughter- in- law Jan, daughters Claudia Erickson, Nettie LaCombe and Mary Jo Watson, all of Spokane; seven grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren (with a great grandson due in May) and one great-great grandson. Preceded in death by a grandson.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 11, 2022 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1104 W, Heroy, Spokane followed by a committal service at Holy Cross Cemetery and then a reception at St. Francis Hall.