Madeleine Combier

AIKEN, SC – MADELEINE COMBIER, 87, beloved wife of Charles Combier, died Friday, October 31, 2008 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. A native of Le Cheylard, France, Mrs. Combier was a daughter of the late Philippe and Victoria Faure Heritier. Madeleine’s father was a renowned French artist and poet. She and her husband Charles immigrated to The United States in 1956. She was co-founder of the Alliance Francaise of Aiken in 1967. In the early 1970’s she and two friends opened La Martingale Restaurant and Antique Shop, which was the first restaurant in Aiken ever to offer its patrons a wine list. Mrs. Combier was a devout Catholic and was a communicant at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church. Survivors, in addition to her husband Charles, include two daughters, Catherine Combier-Donovan of Richmond, VA, and Anne Combier Elmerick of Greer, SC, a son, Philippe Combier of Dahlonega, GA, seven grandchildren; Patrick C. Donovan, Caroline V. Donovan, Robert Combier, Francis Combier, Andrew Combier, Stephanie V. Elmerick and Alexis Nicole Elmerick, two great-grandchildren, Charlotte V. Cobbs and Maxwell C. Donovan, and many nieces and nephews in France. The Mass of Christian Funeral will be celebrated Thursday, November 6, 2008 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church with The Rev. Richard Harris as celebrant. Farewell prayers and commendations will follow in Calvary Cemetery. A prayer vigil will be held Wednesday at 6:30 PM at Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home, 715 East Pine Log Rd., Aiken, SC. The family will receive friends following the vigil. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the building fund for the Father Francis Kine Retreat House at the Mepkin Abbey, 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd., Monks Corner, SC 29461. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Madeleine Combier, please visit our flower store.