SALISBURY — It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of Alice Schwab Combes, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, educator, leader, and protector of mountains. Alice passed away on Dec. 21, 2024, surrounded by the love of her daughter, Andrea, son-in-law, Eric, and her grandchildren, Mary August, Axel and Berit.
Born on Oct. 26, 1946, to Gustav and Josephine Schwab, Alice grew up in Garrison, New York where she attended primary and middle schools and later was a proud graduate of the Emma Willard School in Troy, New York. In 1966, Alice gave birth to her daughter, Andrea, and spent the next two decades living in the Boston area before moving to Danbury in 1988. Ultimately, she found her way to spend time in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, to be close to her family. Her last years were spent snuggled in her cozy Vermont home in Rochester.
Alice’s academic accomplishments were nothing short of impressive because if Alice was going to do something, she was going to do it right: a BA from UMass Boston, two master’s degrees, and multiple post-graduate certificates in Reading, Special Education, School Psychology, and Neuropsychology. The crown jewel of her education was her Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern University.
Her career as an educator spanned over 35 years, with her first years working with students struggling with learning and emotional difficulties in Quincy, Massachusetts. She then moved to Danbury, where she worked as a School Counselor and School Psychologist in neighboring Ridgefield for another twenty years. Alice acted as an unparalleled advocate for her students; throughout her career, she never allowed her students to simply meet expectations, she encouraged them to find meaningful challenges, and explore every educational opportunity available to them. Her boundless dedication to assist her students to find scholarships, jobs, training programs and travel opportunities is reflected by how often her former students have returned to share their successes and appreciation. After retiring from Ridgefield, Alice couldn’t stay away from her true calling and returned to work in Seekonk, Massachusetts for five more years as a school psychologist. At every school she worked, Alice was valued by her colleagues not only for her expertise and experience as an educator but for her wicked sense of humor, boundless energy, slight irreverence for the rules, crazy earrings and her exemplary skills and work ethic.
Beyond the classroom, Alice’s leadership as Director and President of Mount Riga, Inc. in Salisbury, was legendary. As MRI President, Alice boldly led multiple initiatives to provide environmental safeguards to protect the forest and lakes as well as fostering community engagement and connection. She fiercely protected and nurtured “her” beloved mountain, ensuring that its beauty and peace would be passed down for generations. At any given moment, Alice could be seen yanking dreaded invasives from the side of the road, planting daylilies along fences, or leading a rambunctious crowd of children with lawn games. You were sure not to miss her as she came speeding up the mountain road, usually with a pack of dogs and a grandchild or three in the back of her pickup truck. There wasn’t a community event or party that she didn’t attend with joyful exuberance. Her cabin was her beloved sanctuary, and Alice enthusiastically invited friends, colleagues, and the occasional hunky hiker from the Appalachian Trail to visit (and work on) her beloved Shack.
Alice wore many hats throughout her life— educator, travel guide, corporate president and ski ambassador among others. She co-founded the educational travel company Geo-Vista and spent 15 summers teaching reading skills at Salisbury Summer School. But, her most meaningful role was as mother and grandmother. Alice loved her daughter with a strong and unconditional loyalty, only to be equaled (sometimes surpassed) by her love for her grandchildren. Alice and Andrea were each other’s strongest supporters, cheerleaders, and absolute best friends.
Her grandkids, Mary August, Axel, and Berit, were the light of her life. Alice adored them fiercely, teaching them to ski moguls, jump somersaults, appreciate the fine art of pancake-making, and slow down with a little bite of chocolate. Her cabin, her mountain, and her life were always open for adventure. Sometimes a little too much adventure, as in the time their mother learned Alice let them ride the roof of her Astro Van. She gifted them with a childhood of unforgettable experiences like visits to the American Girl Doll Store in New York City, snow sledding with huskies, and even a trip to Paris. That was Alice—a generous spirit, full of joy and spontaneous fun.
Filled with curiosity about the world around her, Alice explored the world both solo and with friends, often seeking out the most delicious food and interesting people. She was never shy about offering her opinions, especially if the subject was current events or how the world should be run (which, in Alice’s mind, was always better with more tea and useless things from TJ Maxx). If you find yourself in need of a life-sized ceramic dalmatian sculpture or a three-foot-tall painted Humpty Dumpty, please call her daughter.
Alice is survived by her daughter, Andrea W. Combes and her son-in-law, L. Eric Olsson, and her grandchildren, Mary August, Axel and Berit Olsson. Over the years, she gathered a devoted pack of beloved dogs, including Benjamin, Coalie, Otis, Max and Samantha with whom she is now most likely sitting, reading her New York Times Sunday Edition, opining about the state of the world and how much better she would make it if she were in charge. And let’s not forget her many wonderful friends, who will always remember Alice for her laughter, her loyalty, and her zest for life.
A private burial service will be held by the family. However, in full Alice fashion, there will be a celebration of Alice’s extraordinary life at the mountain she loved so much, where we will raise a cup of tea (or something stronger) in her honor. In lieu of flowers, Alice would have preferred you share a laugh, taste something delicious, go on an adventure, wear a bold pair of earrings, and, if you can’t resist, definitely buy something outrageous from TJ Maxx.
Alice’s spirit will live on in the mountains, in the many lives she has touched, and in every laugh, swim in the lake, and ski slope we conquer from here on out.
Dick Hermans in the Oblong Bookstore on Millerton’s Main Street in 1985.Provided
