Brenda Combs

Brenda Lynn Combs, 55, of Lafayette died at 12:25 am Tuesday morning, May 28 at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis.

Brenda was born November 27, 1957 in Lafayette to Norman and Judy (Richey) Martin of Newtown. She was a 1976 graduate of Fountain Central High School and a 1980 graduate of Purdue University. She majored in Public Relations.

On December 31, 1985 she married Tom Combs in Honolulu, Hawaii and he survives. Throughout her career she worked at Mountain Jack's Restaurant, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, as marketing director at Lafayette Bank & Trust and most recently as President of her own advertising agency, Moondance Marketing.

Brenda was a 9 A½ year cancer survivor of Leiomyosarcoma which has a 90 percent fatality rate. She recently wrote a book describing her courageous fight against this cancer. Her book, SHEDDING MY ARMOR, was written to offer encouragement to those who find their own struggles insurmountable. It has been published by Tate Publishing and the national publication date was May 28th the day of her death.

She was proud of her marriage but equally or more proud of her boy/girl twins. Matt recently graduated from Indiana University and Mandy works at Great Clips in Lafayette. They were the reason she fought so hard to survive her battle against cancer when they were 12 years old. In addition to her parents Norman and Judy Martin she is also survived by her brother Gary Martin who farms in Fountain County.

Over the years Brenda was involved in United Way, Greater Lafayette Progress, Association of Women Business Owners (AWBO) and Tippecanoe Child Care Services among others.

Brenda was a joy to be around and had a great love of life and her friends. The Memorial Service will be at the University Church at 11am on Friday. A celebration of life gathering will be held at the Outpost Banquet Hall from noon to 3pm on Friday. Casual attire is acceptable. All of her friends are invited to come and enjoy the warmth and love generated by those that were touched by Brenda's charm and sense of humor. She was a real spitfire. Interment will be at a later date at the Green Bay Cemetery near the Martin family farm in Newtown, IN.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: Almost Home Humane Society or Community Cancer Network, Inc., PO Box 4499, Lafayette, IN 47903