Jane was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley (suburbs of Los Angeles, CA), and was the youngest of four children by William E. "Bill" McGrath and Isabelle J. Smith. Jane attended local schools; Cleveland High School and Pierce College. The most influential time of her young life was her involvement with the Valley Cathedral Youth Center, a ranch in Northridge which was a hub of Christian outreach to the entire valley for over 40 years. It was here where she developed a strong Christian faith while also participating in a wide spectrum of Christ-centered outdoor activities. After spending many years in the youth program, she eventually joined the staff that worked at the ranch's youth center. In 1979 she followed in her father's footsteps and joined the U.S. Postal Service, working as a LSM clerk in the Van Nuys, CA office. In 1984, she transferred to work in the Bakersfield, CA post office, where she worked as a LSM Clerk, a FSM Clerk, and most recently as a Registered Mail Clerk at the Pegasus Drive GMF. In 1985 she married her longtime sweetheart Brian Holcombe, and in 1988 gave birth to their only child, John. Brian, Jane and John frequently traveled, camped, explored and fished all over the western U.S. Jane loved collecting sea shells and miniature items, and frequently entered her collections in the Kern County Fair. She also loved going to concerts, reading about popular artists, and discussing music trivia with her friends. Jane retired from the Postal Service in late 2008 after nearly 30 years of service. Jane was an extremely caring and loving person, and quickly became a close friend to nearly everyone she met. She loved and was devoted to her family. She was also a deeply committed Christian and a longtime member of Christ's Church of the Valley in Bakersfield. Jane was laid to rest on April 16, 2009 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield, CA. Her pastor, Michael Foutz, Senior Minister of Christ's Church of the Valley, officiated the graveside service. A celebration of life service was also held close to Jane's birthday on September 12, 2009, officiated by Pastor Michael Foutz. Jane was preceded in death by her mother Isabelle McGrath, and her brother Don McGrath. Her survivors include her father Bill McGrath, brothers Mark McGrath and Paul McGrath, husband Brian Holcombe and son John Holcombe. Jane will be greatly missed by her husband, son, extended family and many friends and co-workers.
Jane was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley (suburbs of Los Angeles, CA), and was the youngest of four children by William E. "Bill" McGrath and Isabelle J. Smith. Jane attended local schools; Cleveland High School and Pierce College. The most influential time of her young life was her involvement with the Valley Cathedral Youth Center, a ranch in Northridge which was a hub of Christian outreach to the entire valley for over 40 years. It was here where she developed a strong Christian faith while also participating in a wide spectrum of Christ-centered outdoor activities. After spending many years in the youth program, she eventually joined the staff that worked at the ranch's youth center. In 1979 she followed in her father's footsteps and joined the U.S. Postal Service, working as a LSM clerk in the Van Nuys, CA office. In 1984, she transferred to work in the Bakersfield, CA post office, where she worked as a LSM Clerk, a FSM Clerk, and most recently as a Registered Mail Clerk at the Pegasus Drive GMF. In 1985 she married her longtime sweetheart Brian Holcombe, and in 1988 gave birth to their only child, John. Brian, Jane and John frequently traveled, camped, explored and fished all over the western U.S. Jane loved collecting sea shells and miniature items, and frequently entered her collections in the Kern County Fair. She also loved going to concerts, reading about popular artists, and discussing music trivia with her friends. Jane retired from the Postal Service in late 2008 after nearly 30 years of service. Jane was an extremely caring and loving person, and quickly became a close friend to nearly everyone she met. She loved and was devoted to her family. She was also a deeply committed Christian and a longtime member of Christ's Church of the Valley in Bakersfield. Jane was laid to rest on April 16, 2009 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield, CA. Her pastor, Michael Foutz, Senior Minister of Christ's Church of the Valley, officiated the graveside service. A celebration of life service was also held close to Jane's birthday on September 12, 2009, officiated by Pastor Michael Foutz. Jane was preceded in death by her mother Isabelle McGrath, and her brother Don McGrath. Her survivors include her father Bill McGrath, brothers Mark McGrath and Paul McGrath, husband Brian Holcombe and son John Holcombe. Jane will be greatly missed by her husband, son, extended family and many friends and co-workers.
