Ann Oxenham Coombe (17 Jul 1934 - 3 Sep 2025)

In loving memory of Ann Oxenham Coombe who sadly passed away on 3rd September 2025.
Flowers or if desired can be made on the Just Giving section of this page to Guide Dogs, or sent to C Terry Funeral Services, 244 Bulwell High Road, Bulwell, Nottingham. NG6 8NU. Tel: 0115 977 0866.
A Donation Box will also be available on the day of the Funeral.

Born on 17 July 1934, Anna Oxenham Coombe (maiden name, Froggatt) died peacefully on the 3rd September, 2025 at the age of 91. Daughter of Margaret Winifred Froggatt (born) Towsey and John Froggatt, Anna married Paul Coombe, with whom she had three children, Susan, Mark, and Josephine. With Mark having passed away last year, she leaves behind her two daughters and two grandchildren, Liv and Susan, as well as many extended family members and friends.

At a young age, and being an adventurous spirit, Anna moved to Canada where she met a dashing young film executive, Paul Coombe, destined to become her husband, and through him became involved in competitive rally driving. She was very successful particularly as a navigator, winning the Shell 4000 for Ladies among other accolades. On returning to the UK in 1974, Anna pursued a successful career and rose through the ranks of the NHS in the purchasing and supply area. She then went on to leave the health service to pursue a more entrepreneurial venture running her own boarding kennels for many years in Derbyshire: Castlefield Kennels.

Anna was at heart a very old-school British woman, a stickler for good table manners, traditions, and a work ethic that saw her always on the go. She was notorious for generating massive to-do lists, and, being industrious by nature, somehow always managed to get everything crossed off. Like her mother, Margaret, she was a very intellectual woman, and that emerged in many ways including her love of puzzles, crosswords, board games, and any kind of brainteaser, a quirk she has passed on to subsequent generations. She was also an avid reader and photographer, a talented seamstress, and an accomplished equestrian, who rode both English and Western thanks to her transatlantic lifestyle. Between rallying and horseback riding, in particular, she broke far more bones than your average person, including once ending up in a full body cast.

Ultimately, however, her love of dogs became her lifelong passion, which saw her become a stalwart of the Hungarian Vizsla breed in the UK, breeding many champions, and judging at the championship show level. The first ever show champion she bred was a vizsla named Castlefield Rhapsody in Blue, and the musical piece by Gershwin was thus selected as a tribute to her during Anna’s memorial service.

Anna also played an important role in the foundation of the newer Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla breed, helping to establish it with imports from Hungary and working to gain recognition for the breed in Britain under the Kennel club. She dedicated significant personal time to working with both the Hungarian Vizsla Society and the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla club of Great Britain to advance the interests of both breeds.

Anna’s faith as a Roman Catholic was very important to her, and her involvement with the church and their support during her final years was of great comfort to her and to us as a family. We shall miss her intense curiosity, her creativity, her often very strong opinions, and her easy laugh. Good night Anna.