Obituary: Corbit, Shirley Louise

CORBIT,
Shirley Louise
(Schmitten)

Shirley peacefully passed away in her sleep at her home in Spokane on March 20, 2012.

Shirley was born in Cashmere, Washington on July 15, 1927 to Earl and Louise Schmitten.

She graduated valedictorian from Cashmere High School and went on to earn, with honors, her degree from Washington State University where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Shirley was a microbiologist at Hollister-Stier Laboratories for 26 years until her retirement in 1995.

For the past 40 years she resided on Spokane’s south hill in the home that she loved and in which she raised her two sons.
Shirley will be deeply missed by her sons, her other family members and the many people whose lives she touched through her work, church, volunteer community activities, social groups and music.

Shirley was recognized as one of Spokane’s leading ladies in 1990 by the YWCA for her volunteer work.
Retirement gave Shirley the opportunity to explore new avenues, including learning to play the Harp and taking continuing education classes.

She loved attending Civic Theater productions and Spokane Symphony performances, and was a world traveler.
Shirley is survived by: son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Merilee Corbit of Seattle; son Wayne of New Orleans; grandsons, Stan and Will Corbit; sister Punky Helgeson of Spokane; brother and sister-in-law Hank and Audrey Schmitten of Bellingham; a nephew; and five nieces.
Shirley died of an aggressive form of cancer.

Just months ago she was taking long walks like the one she took last fall with her daughter-in-law through Duncan Garden where the accompanying photo was taken.
Memorial Services will be held at Manito Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 14th, 2012.

Donations may be made to a charity of choice in Shirley’s memory.