Sheila Ellen Combo

Ellen Sheila Combo devoted wife, mother and grandmother passed away at Riverside Health Care Center on March 17, surrounded by her loving family.
Sheila was born in Helena on December 31, 1938 to Dr. Edward and Ellen (Sullivan) Gallivan. She received her primary and secondary education at Cathedral grade school and high school in Helena. After moving with her family to St. Louis she received her training in X-Ray technology at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. From 1959 to 1962 she worked as an x-ray technician with her father who was the only radiologist in Northern Idaho. In 1962 she married Dr. Dan Combo in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and from 1962 to 1965 they lived in Fairbanks, Alaska where their first child, Daniel Raymond was born. Salt Lake City was their next stop where their daughter Ann Cecilia was born. In 1967 the four Combo's moved to Missoula where three more children, Edward James, Michael Joseph and Colleen Mary were born.
During her 47 years in Missoula, Sheila was active in many activities particularly those involving her children and their sports activities as well as her grandchildren and their school activities. She was a real "fix it" mom as she did all the do-it- yourself projects around the house and could handle a power tool with the "best of them."
Her grandchildren loved the many shopping adventures they had with their grandmother. The board games and tea parties were among the very favorite things she liked to do with her grandchildren throughout the years. She was the heart and soul of every holiday and birthday celebrated in her family. Sheila especially enjoyed the travels back and forth to Butte (birthplace of her husband) and Idaho Falls to celebrate the many family occasions with her in-laws and friends.
Sheila was a devout Catholic and was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Church. She also enjoyed attending Mass at the Chapel in St. Patrick's Hospital. Sheila served as a volunteer at Community Hospital's Mobile X-Ray Unit for several years. She also served one term as a member of the St. Joseph's Elementary School Board.
Sheila was preceded in death by her parents Dr. Edward and Ellen Gallivan; her brothers Ed and Sean Gallivan; and sisters Maureen Brockley and Jane Huffman.
Sheila is survived by her husband Dan; her son Danny, daughter Ann (Steve) Pinsoneault; son Ed; son Mike; and daughter Colleen (Bryon) Smith. She is also survived by her grandchildren Katie and Connor Combo; Kinsey and Courtney Smith; Eddy and Emmett Pinsoneault.
She is also survived by her sister Michelle Boone and her sister-in-law, Sister Marie de Paul Combo, SCL and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
A vigil/rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 24, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 25. Celebrants will be the Revs. Rich Perry S.J. and Joseph Carver S.J. A reception will follow at the Depot Bar and Restaurant. Interment will be held at St. Mary Cemetery following the reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite cause or charity.

Read Sheila Combo's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.