Maureen “Mo” Coombs-Steffens
Heaven just acquired a very special angel with the arrival of Maureen “Mo” Coombs-Steffens.
A native Northern Californian, born in San Francisco and raised in Tiburon, Marin County, Mo was a graduate of Redwood High School, a long time Marin County resident, and, in her final decades, a proud resident of a scenic mountaintop above the town Willits, overlooking Redwood Valley, in beautiful Mendocino County, California.
Mo departed this earth a beloved sister, cherished daughter, devoted and encouraging partner and wife, maternal mentor to three generations of extended family, and a trusted, dedicated friend to many.
Her entire life, Mo exhibited the best qualities of an empathetic, pragmatic, joy-filled community-creator and a respected advisor to countless friends and family. Mo possessed the unique combination of creativity and business acumen. Her successful career included years in the advertising and printing industries in the San Francisco Bay area. She also spent many years working in jewelry design. In Willits, Mo worked for the Willits News for 4 years (1988-1991) and then in 1992 began a 22-year career working for Scott’s Appliance as the matriarch and bookkeeper for this legacy family business. Mo loved her Willits family and she greatly enjoyed the special community spirit at the Willits Harrah Senior Center.
Among her many creative talents, Mo was a master quilter, a zodiac astrologer, a jewelry expert, seashell collector, birdhouse maker, and a master crafts person.
Among many of the things for which Mo will be remembered was her everlasting love for all creatures, great and small. Her home was always filled with the energy of protective and loving dogs and cats—her beloved Afghans, Dobermans, Jack Russel Terriers and an ever-present variety of felines. More recently, Mo devoted her time and energy to her flock of African Gray and Blue & Gold Macaw Parrots. Those who knew Mo and Ron during their early days in Mill Valley will remember her magical domestication of an injured baby raccoon she named “Latimer” whom she raised and cared for.
Mo’s infectious positive energy was loved by all who knew her.
Her passing is a huge loss for her immediate and extended family and vast network of friends. She leaves behind Sister Colleen Bridget Coombs, brother Jefferson Coombs, father Samm Coombs, stepmother Shirley Coombs, stepson Kirk Steffens, stepdaughter Linda Steffens, grandchildren Drew Gall, Erika Ebro, great grandchild Hank, her dear friend, protege, and Trustee Travis Scott, and her life-long best friend and soul sister, Murdjana Jensen.
We, her family, are grateful she now laughing with her beloved husband and life partner Ron Steffens (aka “Sweetie,” as they always called one another), her mother Peggy, an RN and retired U.S. Army Nurse and the hundreds of animals she loved and nurtured over the years. She will be missed dearly by all of us. Donations in Mo’s memory are encouraged to the following organizations: Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County (www. mendohumanesociety.com), Birds of a Feather Rescue (www.birdsofafeatherrescue.org/), Hope For Paws (www.hopeforpaws.org) or Willits Harrah Senior Center (www.willitsseniorcenter.com/donations/)
Given the physical distancing requirements for the health and wellness of Americans required during the COVID-19 pandemic, plans for a celebration of Mo’s life I have yet to be announced. For more information and in order to be included on the email distribution list when a celebration of Mo’s life is announced, please feel free to email colleen.coombs@gmail.com or jefferson.coombs@gmail.com