Hazel Marjorie Corbett

Hazel Marjorie Gates Corbett Hazel Marjorie Gates Corbett, 90, died at The Journey Home in Bartlesville, OK surrounded by her family on October 22, 2014. A memorial service will be held at Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory on Friday, 10/31/14 at 2:00 p.m. Marj was born September 9, 1924 in Comanche County near Coldwater, KS to Victor E. Gates and Hazel D. Henderson Gates. She had one sibling, a younger brother, Victor Eugene Gates. She was raised on a farm that produced wheat and cattle and had a lifelong connection to this way of life. Marj was a Football Homecoming Queen at Coldwater High School where she graduated in 1942. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Emporia State Teacher’s College in Emporia, KS in 1946 and then began her teaching career. After a brief time teaching third grade at Bluestem Grade School in Dewey, OK, she began teaching vocal music also in Dewey until she retired in 1984. One year she was named Dewey Teacher of the Year. She made many friends with her fellow teachers as well as her students. Marj married Robert “Bob” Harold Corbett on August 18, 1946. They had 2 sons, Steven T. Corbett and Michael K. Corbett and one daughter, Debra A. Corbett Saltzman. Early in their married life, Bob and Marj moved frequently as Bob was in sales. In 1956, they settled in Bartlesville, OK where they spent the remainder of their lives. Marj enjoyed playing bridge having belonged to the same club since the 1950’s. She was a member of the Pilot Club of Dewey and sang soprano for many years with the Sweet Adelines of Bartlesville. After retirement, she and Bob enjoyed many travels including to Australia, Alaska, and Spain and many extended trips to Yellowstone National Park and to Padre Island, TX. She was always ready to take a trip or a drive. She volunteered with the Mozart Music Festival, was a member of the Red Hats Society of Bartlesville and a member of the Good Shepard Presbyterian Church of Bartlesville. Marj was a lover of music of all kinds. Her kids have fond memories of her always being accepting of their music of the times and of her and Bob enjoying dancing to Big Band music. She had a young and eager spirit always being up for an adventure. She was an avid reader frequently saying, “I’ll be fine if I can just stick my nose in a book.” Marj had a gracious generosity to the many students she taught. Since her death, her family has been told of many of her kind acts. In addition to her husband, Marj was preceded in death by her parents and brother. She is survived by her three children: Steve Corbett of Bartlesville, OK; Mike Corbett and his wife, Linda of Bartlesville, OK and Debbie Saltzman and her husband, David of Norman, OK. She is also survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren: David Corbett and his wife, Tina of Moore, OK and their children Aaron, Meghan, Adam, and McKenzie; Emily Corbett Perez and her husband Alex of Long Beach, CA; Steven Warehime and his wife Shannon of Bartlesville, OK and their children Kaitlyn and Jakob Warehime; and Levi Corbett and his wife, Amanda of Albuquerque, NM. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Valerie Gates, and nephews, Chan Gates and Randall Gates and niece, Rhonda Blinne; and their families. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Journey Home, 3406 SE Kentucky, Bartlesville, OK 74006. Friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org. PDF Printable Version