Joan Mccarthy Gombas

Joan McCarthy Gombas, 84, of Ithaca, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 28, 2020 at the Hospicare Residence. She was born in Ithaca, daughter of the late James and Mary O'Neil McCarthy.

Joan is survived by her children, Kathleen Gombas Roe, David Gombas, Jeffery Gombas (Bonnie), and Robert Gombas; grandchildren, Patrick Roe (Nicole), Colin Roe, Audrey Gombas, Angela Gombas, Zoltan Gombas, Matthew Gombas, Kyle Gombas, Kim Hamilton, Jessica Troy Smith and great-granddaughter Addison Smith; her sister, Kathleen McCarthy Hallen, brother-in-law, William Gombash, and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Joan was also predeceased by, Zoltan Gombas, her loving husband of 45 years; sisters, Patricia McCarthy Petrillo (Joseph) and Margaret McCarthy Reynolds (Joseph) and her brother, James H. McCarthy.

Joan retired in 1991 from Verizon, formerly AT&T and the New York Bell Telephone Company, where she began as a switchboard operator and retried as a drafter.  She was also a successful Tupperware dealer and regional sales manager during the 1970’s.

Joan was a 1950 graduate of Immaculate Conception School and a 1954 graduate of Ithaca High . She was an active, lifelong member of the Immaculate Conception Church.  She volunteered for and supported charitable organizations including the church Food Pantry, Salvation Army, Hospicare, and Boys Town.  For a number of summers, she served as a host family for the New York Fresh Air Fund.  Later, she served as a host family for a Cornell student from Romania. Joan enjoyed wintering in Arizona with Zoltan, playing bridge, researching genealogy, cooking, bowling, and sharing a good laugh with family and friends, along with nice glass of Riesling.

Mass and memorial arrangements are pending and are anticipated in late spring. Interment to be at Ithaca Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospicare of Ithaca.  Special thanks to Sarah Brown and the staff of Hospicare.