Mary Adelaide Corbett passes away at age 104
Emerson defined the purpose in life as: “to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Mary Adelaide Corbett (Balcom) was born in Paradise, Nova Scotia to Louis and Edith (Troop) Balcom on September 13, 1911 when a loaf of bread cost about five cents. She was the oldest and last living of four children including Burpee (Leona), Bernice (Stuart Thompson) and Firth (Pauline). Mary’s father died when the children were young and Mary was very proud of how her mother continued to keep their home and farm running. Mary told stories of playing tennis and going to school, eventually graduating from Teacher’s College in Truro. She taught in one-room school houses throughout the Valley that could have fifty or more students spread across all grades. Probably considered a spinster at the time, she met Walter Corbett while teaching in Kentville. They married August 6, 1948. Theirs was a gentle love story of two teachers who built a life and love for over fifty years. He taught history, she substituted and tutored students. They raised two sons, John (Susan) and Harold (Karin) who turned out alright. Mary was active in the Kentville United Baptist Church and volunteered in the community. She loved to play bridge and always had handiwork sitting by her chair for the rare moments she sat down. She loved ginger chocolates because no one else did making it more likely she’d get her share. Mary cared for Walter’s parents and her mother in the family home as they aged. Later, Mary and Walter travelled the world together and spent several winters in Florida. In a time before Facebook and easy e-communication she kept in good contact with friends and family all over the globe and loved to share visits, letters and stories with them. Mary’s family grew to include grandchildren Natalie (Steve) Sampson, Michael (Jennifer) Corbett, Amanda (Ian) Hecht and Sara (Kris) Phaneuf. She loved to have her sons and their families home in the summers and always stocked the freezer with homemade donuts and peanut butter balls. She could make anything in the microwave. Mary and Walter also opened their home to international students attending Acadia University. These men became family and Mary was very proud of their accomplishments and families. As Walter’s health failed they moved to Grandview Manor in Berwick. Mary continued to attend church in Kentville and was proud of her ministry in visiting the ‘little old ladies’ upstairs (most younger than herself). Showing her perseverance and stubborn streak, she survived the loss of Walter in 1998, bounced back from a hip fracture at 94 and gave up the keys to her beloved Crown Vic on her own terms at 95. Fiercely proud of her independence she lived on her own until 2012 when she was kidnapped and brought to Northwood in Halifax to be closer to family so the great grandchildren could play volleyball with her. True story. Mary always loved babies. Her straight-laced and prim persona (that fooled no one who knew her) was most quickly melted when a small person was placed in her lap. Even at the end when most of her communication was lost, she demonstrated this in meeting her youngest great granddaughter, Annika. She patted her belly and smiling said, ‘baby, baby, baby’. She was Grammie Great to nine others; Aiden and Macy; Caleb, Grace and Noelle; Jack, Elliot, Paxten and her namesake, AnnaWen Mary. How great she was. Mary loved widely and deeply; her God, her husband and sons, her profession, making trouble and ice cream (maybe most of all). She will be missed more than she could ever realize, but we are happy to see her released from the limitations of age. Over her 104 years and in a million little ways the farm girl from Paradise achieved a great life of use, honour and compassion. She made a difference. Mary’s family wishes to thank the staff members of Grandview Manor and Northwood 6th Central and for their loving and attentive care. We’d also like to thank the loving pastoral care and regular visits provided by Rev. Nelson Metcalfe of First Baptist Halifax and Rev. Renee Clark of Northwood. Family and friends were welcomed to visit with us Friday April 15th from 6-8 at The White Family Funeral Home, Kentville, where the funeral service, officiated by Rev. Mandi Hecht, was held 11:00 am Saturday April 16th with a reception following. Mary was laid to rest beside Walter in Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill after the reception. Memorials are graciously accepted in her name to Kentville United Baptist Church, Canadian Baptist Ministries or a charity of choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.