Obituary: Sarita Uglow Comyns

Beloved matriarch, devout Catholic, compassionate volunteer

Sarita Uglow Comyns died March 3 in Claremont at the age of 103, just 12 days shy of her 104th birthday.

Sarita, the daughter of Daniel and Zoraida Rodriguez, was born March 15, 1919 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. As the daughter of a U.S. Army officer, she traveled the world with stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico; San Antonio, Texas; Long Island, New York; Vancouver, Canada; San Francisco, California; and Fort Benning, Georgia to name a few.

It was at Fort Benning that she met her first husband, West Point graduate Homer Uglow. With the outbreak of World War II, he remained on the Philippine Islands while she and their two daughters, Frances and Margaret, returned to the United States.

After the death of Homer in 1942, she met her second husband, Jim Comyns, who was also an Army serviceman. She and Jim moved to California in 1947 and enjoyed 33 years together in the Pomona area. They became the proud parents of John, Mary, Jimmy and Michael, enjoying backyard barbecues, a trip to Europe, camping trips in the family camper and even “forced family fun.”

After Mr. Comyns’ death in 1980, she spent more than 20 years with her beloved partner, John Toth, going dinner dancing at the Moose Club and taking excursions to Las Vegas.

Mrs. Comyns’ faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was an active parishioner at Our Lady of Assumption Church and a longtime member of the Young Ladies Institute, which she joined in 1949. As chairman of the visiting committee of Y.L.I. for more than 30 years, she loved to visit the sick and elderly and prepare hot meals for the less fortunate. She often referred to these visits and acts of kindness as her hobby. You could always count on that unexpected phone call from her, “just to check in.”

She moved to Claremont Manor in 2011, where she found her extended family. For more than 12 years, she felt all the love, support and happiness from the Claremont Manor staff and residents.  She often said, “You have certainly put me in the right place,” and regularly mentioned how very happy she was there. She loved to have other residents come and sit at her table and discuss travels, families, current events and the like.

She loved music (especially piano), dancing at the Moose Club, making deviled eggs, watching “I Love Lucy,” and spending time at the ocean watching and hearing the waves. Regardless of her age, she still loved to travel, going to Paris with her daughter Mary when she was 85, and on a cross-country train/bus trip to U.S. National Parks when she was 90. “She always had a kind and loving word for everyone she met,” her family added. “If you asked her what the secret to her longevity was, she would quickly respond to take everything in moderation and ‘be kind.’ She lived by this motto every day of her life.”

Most of all, she loved spending time with family. She was especially proud of her six children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. “She was a very special lady who always found a way to make all those around her feel special, loved and needed,” her family said.

She is survived by her children Frances (Bill) Cahill, Margaret Uglow, John Comyns, Mary (John) Hull and Michael Comyns; grandchildren Elizabeth Brown, Kirsten Cahill, Sarah Waite, Conor Comyns and Daniel Comyns; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husbands Homer and Jim; her son Jimmy; and her siblings.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 30 at Our Lady of Assumption Church, 435 N. Berkeley Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Claremont Meals on Wheels at claremontmealsonwheels.org/donate, or by check to 845 E. Bonita Ave., Pomona, CA 91767; or Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church at olaclaremont.org, or by check to 435 N. Berkeley Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.

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