Marie Eugenia Bomba

Marie Eugenia Dreisbach Bomba passed through Heaven’s pearl encrusted gates October 8, 2019 in her bed at her home. Her illness was short and her life was long as her passing was only 6 weeks away from her 90th birthday.

Wife of a military lifer (Navy of course!), Marie felt that she had two homes: one, her birthplace in Aquashicola, PA where she was the youngest child of Roland R. and Bessie Dreisbach. This is where she finished school and met and married the “middle Bomba boy” who had already spread his wings, having left their small town to see and experience the world in the midst of WWII. Being a “dutiful” wife, Marie followed her husband to Boston, MA and New Orleans, LA before jumping the pond to experience another way of life, living in Naples, Italy. This was a wonderful time that she would often bring up. After several more “changes of scenery”, Marie and family got the orders of a lifetime dream for they were moving to the Sunshine State…and the rest was history. Marie got the sand in-between her toes and never left her beloved, second home.

Family was the utmost of importance to Marie. She was first nicknamed “Sunshine” by her father because of her sunny disposition. She was known as Hon and Mom by family, but by many, many more she was known by the name Nana and Mrs. B. However, only her special 5 could call her their beloved “Nana Banana” which came on the letterheads of many cards through the mail making many a mailman snicker!

Marie loved serving. Her Savior was number one in her life and everyone knew it. She also loved cooking and serving her food to any and all, thus “Bomba’s Home Cooking” was created. This small idea developed into one of the longest running family restaurants in Jacksonville which was manned by her then retired husband, son and daughter-in-law, and, best friend. Long after relinquishing the reigns at the restaurant, she continued her stewardship of her love of cooking in her later years by dropping over a bowl of homemade soup to many of her friends. It was not uncommon for her to ask the occasional work man that serviced her home of their favorite pie and then present him with one such pie soon afterwards. Oh her pies!! How they will be missed.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Steve Bomba, and two sons, Lonnie and Gary. Beloved family that will miss Marie are her daughter and son-in-law, Juliann and Robert Gardner; her grandchildren, Anastasia Gardner Crain, Samantha Gardner, Stephen Gardner, Gary Bomba (JR) and Garrett Bomba; and 7 great-grandchildren; her sister, Marilyn Steigler and several nieces and nephews. She will leave a hole that many will find hard to fill. See you later alligator! Love you Mom.

A Celebration of Marie’s Life will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at Central Church of the Nazarene, 2130 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL 32211.

Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.

The family strongly encourages any and all to go to the online guestbook to send your heartfelt condolences. Thank you.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville 904-737-7171.