ROCKLAND — Catherine M. LaCombe, 81, peacefully entered into the arms of her Lord Jan. 8, 2014, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, after a period of declining health.

Born in Rockland Aug. 4, 1932, just after a storm passed over, she was the daughter of Charles A. and Eneeda B. Ford Nystrom. She attended local schools but left school early to help care for her family, which included 15 brothers and sisters.

On June 12, 1950, she married Lester H. LaCombe in Rockland. After winning the "Queen for a Day" prize of the Jack Parr Show, Catherine was able to couple the trip brought about by that recognition with her honeymoon. The couple made their home for 44 years on Prospect Street, where they raised their family of eight children and provided a home filled with love for grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and many friends.

Providing for her large family gave Catherine the experience and cause to excel at gardening, canning and cooking. She was always eager to share the bounty of her garden and kitchen with others. Every spring she looked forward to dandelion greens she dug from her lawn.

'Junking' with her husband, going to lawn sales, and collecting antiques and old bottles were all pastimes Catherine enjoyed. She loved going to Dorman's Dairy Dream for hot fudge sundaes, which she always ordered with chocolate ice cream and hot fudge only. Once in a while, she would order a banana split made the same way.

She was a fastidious housekeeper and could not resist expressing her frustration when seeing others who did not share her penance for neatness.

Once her children were older, Catherine worked six years at National Sea Products. She later worked in housekeeping at Knox General Hospital, moving to that same department at the opening of Pen Bay Medical Center. Her last employment was as manager of the C-Cap Thrift Shop in Rockland, where she was also a long-time member of that organization’s board of directors.

From 1967 until his death in 2010, she served as caregiver to her ailing husband. She also considered it a privilege to serve in that same capacity for several of her siblings.

Catherine was a long-time member of the Rockland Church of the Nazarene, until transferring her membership to the Belfast Church of the Nazarene. Her greatest joy was serving Jesus and sharing his love and message with everyone she met.

Other than her beloved husband, Lester H. LaCombe Sr.; Catherine was predeceased by all her siblings except one brother. She is survived by her children and their spouses, the Rev. Lester A. “Joe” Sr. and Polly LaCombe of Thomaston, the Rev. Samuel and Ann LaCombe of Windham, Robert LaCombe of Waldoboro, the Revs. Charles and Lisa LaCombe of Thomaston, John and Wanda LaCombe of Waldoboro, Eneeda and Arthur “Sparky” Peirce of Brunswick, Beverly and Gerald Nichols of Belfast, and Mary and Mark Wiebe of Rockland; 19 grandchildren and their spouses; 13 great-grandchildren; her brother, Robert Kelly of Bristol; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Saturday, Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. to noon at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where a funeral service will be held at noon.

While flowers are gratefully accepted, memorial donations may be made to Belfast Church of the Nazarene Food Pantry, 95 Swan Lake Ave., Belfast, ME 04915.