ELIZABETH (BESS) CORBY

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ELIZABETH (BESS) CORBY 1921 2007 Quickly and peacefully, Bess Corby, aged 86, passed away on the evening of June 19, 2007. A long-time resident of Selkirk, Manitoba, Bess was born to Jessie and Bertram Dickenson and grew up near Clandeboye. In 1943 she married Andrew Corby and they spent the rest of the war years in Halifax. They returned to Manitoba for the winter of 1945 and then moved to Calgary the following year, where their first two children, Paul and Allan, were born. In 1948 they moved to Edmonton and five years later they added daughter, Janet to their family. Bess's independent spirit saw her move her family three times, working full time, caring and nurturing her three young children and just taking charge . In 1961, Bess and Andy moved back home to Selkirk, Manitoba. Always a working mom, Bess was especially proud of her ten year association with the Selkirk detachment of the R.C.M.P. Mrs. C, as she was affectionately referred to by her colleagues, was the first civilian employee with the R.C.M.P. Bess and Andy cleared the land and built a summer cottage together at Lakeshore Heights on Lake Winnipeg. Their family and many friends had their first taste of suckling pig as part of Bess and Andy's generous lake-side hospitality. Widowed in 1993 in their 50th year of marriage, Bess moved into the Kiwanis on the Red. She belonged to the Selkirk Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and was proud of being honoured as a Worthy Grand Matron. She dedicated many volunteer hours to promoting their charitable causes. Bess embraced the community of Selkirk as her extended family; she gladly gave of herself to organizing countless teas, bake sales, art exhibitions, volunteering at the House of Economy and the Selkirk Hospital Auxiliary. Who can forget Robbie Burns Day or Canada Day celebrations in her apartment complex whatever Bess set her hand to, had her signature of love and her special artistry. Music was at the core of Bess's being. She was a classically trained pianist, but she was equally at home playing the organ at Christ Church and St. Clements Church in praise of her faith, playing for a sing song around the family piano, or passing on her love of music to her great-grandchildren. Painting, quilting and in her later years, writing of her memoirs, are other dimensions of Bess's creativity that she has left as valued memories for her family. Bess was predeceased by her husband Andrew David Corby (Andy). Left to celebrate her life are her sons, Paul (Sally) of Winnipeg, Allan (Lynda) of Victoria, and her daughter Janet of North Vancouver; three grandchildren, Sandy (Luke) Deibert of Stonewall, Heather (James) Holbrook of New Jersey and David Corby of Winnipeg; her sisters, Pat (Robert) Penwarden, Clarice (Brian) Hobson, and brother Howard Dickenson (Betty Turner) and three great-grandchildren, Emma, Abigail and Mazy Deibert. The family expresses special thanks to nurse Cheryl, and staff at the Selkirk General Hospital for their compassion and kindness. Funeral services will be held at St. Clements Church, Selkirk on Saturday, June 23 at 11:00 a.m. with The Venerable Godfrey Mawejje officiating. Interment of ashes to follow in the Churchyard cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donation's in Bess's memory can be made to a charity of your choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2007