Jennifer Combs (Malloy), 63, Died; Hunt Club Rider, “Friend to Bees”
Combs, Jennifer (Malloy) Born January 27, 1959, at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, NY. She died January 30, 2022, at home in Harvard, MA, surrounded by her family, following a year long struggle with cancer.
As a young girl she moved to Westport, CT, with her family in 1967. She rode horses at Fairfield County Hunt Club from 1971 to 1977. After graduating high school a semester early, Jennifer attended Potomac Horse Center. She went on to Connecticut College with a BA in European History in 1981.
Her next chapter was as a ski instructor at Pico Mountain (1981 - 1984), while living in her family home in Bridgewater, VT. She went on to start her own video production company, All Seasons Video, which brought her to Cambridge, MA.
She married Alexander Combs on August 29, 1993, with his children Zachariah, Daniel, and Matthew by their sides. They all welcomed Meredith into the family in 1994 and moved to Harvard, MA, in 1997. The youngest sibling, Parker, was born in 2001.
A lifelong horsewoman, Jennifer reconnected to the horse world by having ponies at her home in Harvard. In 2006, she built and opened Meadow March Riding Center, a competition-oriented show stable. She also became a grandma in 2006. She spent her time riding and with family, hosting many family events from birthdays to holidays, Winter Solstice and more.
Following her parents' example, Jennifer was involved in many charitable organizations as a board member, donor, and volunteer for decades. Some highlights include the Sun Hill Foundation (1974 - 2015), Harvard Divinity School (1998 - 2013), Zoning Board of Appeals for Harvard, MA (1998 - 2001), Fruitlands Museum (2003 - 2013), Warner Free Lecture Series (2018 - 2021), and Further Forward Foundation (2015 -2022).
Since her time as a member of Temple Emanu-El (Manhattan, NY) in her youth, she faithfully practiced Jewish traditions throughout her life.
She was always family-oriented, generous, kind, a friend to the bees, an artist, mother to many in and out of the family, a horsewoman, animal lover, avid reader, puzzler, and curator of the good time for all.
Jennifer was predeceased by her parents, Edwin and Susan Malloy; and her loyal canine companion, Moby. She is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, Alexander; her brother Timon of Manhattan, NY; her children Meredith Combs (Tiffen) of Arlington, MA, Parker Combs of Cambridge, MA, Zachariah Combs (Kristin) of Shrewsbury, MA, Daniel Combs (Afra) of Washington, DC, and Matthew Combs (Kaitlyn) of Manhattan, NY; her grandchildren Rennie, George, and August; and her niece and nephew Tess and Jake.
The Service will be held at Acton Funeral Home on Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 10:00am. Rather than in person, please join us by Tribucast at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/9510552428 . In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Native Plant Trust or The Rose Art Museum. Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com
Thomas Jankoski, 70, Died; Former Westporter, “active doer in the community”
Thomas A. Jankoski, 70, graduated from this life with honors on Friday, January 21, 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was welcomed home by his son, T.J. Jankoski, his brother, Henry R. Jankoski, and his parents, Henry T. and Olga Jankoski.
Tom was born in Westport, Connecticut where in his youth he enjoyed flying model airplanes, ice skating, boating, fishing, and clamming. Tom attended Jacksonville University, graduating in Marketing. For nearly 40 years, Tom owned Sun States Sales and touched the lives of many in offering his extensive knowledge in paint sundries.
Tom led a happy life with a strong faith in the Savior Jesus Christ and was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was an active doer in his community, always eager to lend a hand to those in need. Tom was a loving and supportive father, business owner, baseball enthusiast, and sportsman who was a highly skilled sailor, golfer, and fisherman.
Tom is survived by his daughters, Tahlea Jankoski and Elizabeth Dafoe (Jerran Dafoe), sister Carol Barrett (Richard Barrett), cousins Helen Jankoski, Billy Jankoski, Kenny Kertesz, Richard Kertesz, and niece Andrea Jankoski (Germany).
The celebration of Tom's life will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Saturday, February 5, 2022.
James “Jim” Ryan, 76, Died; Westport Sports Coach, Jets and Mets Fan
James "Jim" Ryan passed away on Monday, January 24, 2022 at the age of 76. He was born to Edward Sr. and Elizabeth Ryan on October 14, 1945 in Queens, NY. Jim went to Holy Cross High School where he was president of his class. After graduating from St John's University, he began a career in accounting.
Jim has been a resident of Westport, CT for nearly fifty years. He is survived by his three daughters; Kim Constantino and her husband Bill of Westport, CT, Kellie Ryan and her husband Paul Ouimette of Trumbull, CT, and Kristin Beirne and her husband Chris of Fairfield, CT, along with his former wife Joan Ryan of Westport, CT and brother Ed Ryan Jr. of Monroe, CT. His grandchildren include Ashley and Kaitlyn Constantino, Ryan and Reese Ouimette, and Alexandra and Grayson Beirne. He was predeceased by his older sister Carol Ryan-Smith.
His family was his pride and joy. He devoted his life to caring for his children and was involved in their various activities. Jim was a soccer, basketball, and softball coach for many years and a past president of the Westport Soccer Association. An avid sports fan, his favorite teams were the Mets and Jets. Also, he was a longtime parishioner and supporter of St. Luke Church.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, January 31 from 4-7 at Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road E., Westport, CT. All are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Tuesday, February 1 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke Church, 49 Turkey Hill Road N., Westport, CT. The Harding Funeral Home asks everyone in attendance to wear masks and observe social distancing at both the calling hours and the funeral mass. Thank You
Richard “Rick” Jay Klimberg, 69, Died; Westporter, Garment District Executive
Richard (Rick) Jay Klimberg of Westport, CT, loving husband, father of three and stepfather of one has passed peacefully at his home on January 22, 2022.
Born July 14, 1952 in New York City, he was the son of Irving and Edith Klimberg. Raised in Eastchester, New York with his sister Hermine and brother Stan. He graduated from Eastchester High School, SUNY Buffalo and New York University Law School.
Rick Spent his career working with in the garment district as an Industry executive. During his free time, he loved going to the beach, taking long walks, bike riding and attending wine tastings with his wife Kathleen.
Predeceased by his sister Hermine Gordan, Rick is survived by his wife, Kathleen Brady, his children Jamie Seltzer and her husband Matt, Julie Klimberg, Nicole Klimberg, Step Son Joseph Rissberger and 2 grandchildren Amelia and Maggie Seltzer.
Friends and family are invited to the funeral service on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT, with interment following at Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street, Westport, CT. To join a livestream and share condolences with the family, visit www.greensfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a cancer charity of your choice.