Obituary: Lacombe, Enid Lee (Sykes)

LACOMBE, Enid Lee (Sykes)
August 13, 1931 - April 16, 2016

Our beloved Enid slipped peacefully home to Heaven, surrounded by and held in the prayers of those who loved her so much.
Enid was born to Harold and Leona (Lee) Sykes on August 13, 1931, joining sisters Gwen and Gladys (Happy), and eventually joined by brother Allen.

Growing up in Butte, Montana, Enid learned the values of hard work, integrity, and doing a job well from her parents - and the pleasures of days spent fishing and camping from her dad and grandfather, Leon.

She loved to devour Gwen’s fabulous fudge, “help” her dad on job sites (to her peril!

), and prepare what became her signature gingerbread cookies with her mother and their neighbor, Mrs.Lodders.

Excelling in academics throughout school, Enid also began working in the local hospital’s laboratory as a young teen; she continued to be employed in the medical field for the next 50 years.

In Spokane, where she made her home, she worked for Dr. John Cole, Holy Family Hospital, and Pathology Associates.

Enid developed a fascination with computers while at PA, and she began her second career at Wang Laboratories, where she taught customers around the Northwest how to use their new software.

She concluded her career at JALAN, doing the same for customers around the country.

Enid thrived on challenge and on building relationships with her patients, colleagues, and clients.
Enid valued family as much as work.

She had two children, Lisa (Rod) and Cameron; grandchildren Ethan, James, Chelsea, and Megan; numerous nieces and nephews, and her much-loved brother and sisters.

Enid shared her lifelong passions for flying, gardening, cooking, reading (voraciously), working crossword puzzles, visiting the ocean, spoiling family cats, and making “emergency” runs to Baskin Robbins or Sees with any who would join the fun.

In later years, she could often be found working happily in her yard or puttering in her kitchen, eagerly trying out new recipes.

Enid’s legendary Christmas cookie platters and bouquets of roses delighted many recipients over the years.
Enid’s selfless generosity, her loving spirit, inquisitive nature, and sense of humor endeared her to all whom she touched.

She continued to exhibit these beautiful qualities even as she suffered from Parkinson’s disease in her final years.

Her family especially thanks all of the staff at Royal Park Health and Rehabilitation Center who cared for and loved her to the last.

A celebration of Enid’s life will be held at Riverside Mausoleum chapel on Saturday, April 30, at 11:00 am.