It is with tremendous sadness and a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Alice Combes last Saturday, December 21st. Despite Alice’s prolonged struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease, her end came quickly and peacefully.
Alice loved the Mountain! She served the community she loved in many capacities over the course of her lifetime. Alice joined the Board of Mount Riga Inc. (MRI) in the late 1960s and subsequently served as MRI’s President for nearly thirty years until 2019. Indeed, Alice spent the majority of her adult life protecting our special corner of the world. In a world that is ever changing, she was proud of the slow pace of change on Mount Riga. Alice wanted life on the Mountain to last forever, as it always was. She fostered initiatives by MRI’s leaders that placed priority on conservation and protecting the Mountain from future threats. For example, the 1994 Advance, the lake agreement of the early 1990s, the Bingham Pond easement, the Taconic State Park land swap in 2008, and the purchase of real estate in Florida and North Carolina were all spearheaded during Alice’s tenure. Aside from her family and her students, MRI was Alice’s purpose in life and we all benefited from her dedication.
Alice was also a stalwart and dedicated member of the community she served. She created “community days” to foster togetherness of the whole Mountain community. Alice didn’t take herself too seriously; she knew how to enjoy life and her laugh is one of the things I will remember most. She was personable, relaxed and easygoing in a manner that allowed her to connect with people. As a valued member of our community, a colleague, a mentor and a friend, Alice will be greatly missed.
Please join me in extending our deepest condolences to Andrea and her family, our thoughts are with them during these difficult days.
Sincerely,
Ana
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