Marlene Anne Corbett

Marlene Anne Corbett

August 22, 1952 - January 12, 2025

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Marlene passed away on January 12, 2025, at the Swan Valley Health Centre.

   Marlene was born in Swan River, MB on August 22, 1952. She attended Grahamville Country School and Minitonas School.

   Marlene married James Corbett of Lenswood, MB on December 4,1975. They raised their two sons, Ernie and Trevor, on the family farm in Lenswood. Having the farm in the family they had many visits from family, especially in the summer. They sold the family farm and moved into Birchwood Place in Birch River where she resided until her passing.

   She is survived by James, her loving husband of 49 years, sons Ernie

Corbett Calgary, AB and Trevor Corbett Birch River, MB; grandchildren Jeremy Corbett (Tatum Werbicki) Edmonton, AB; Paige Corbett Vancouver, BC; Grayson (Kelsey) Corbett Edmonton, AB; adopted grandson Jerome Gott Birch River, MB; brothers Henry (Belinda) Magill Edmonton, AB; Brian (Barb) Magill Pine Lake, AB; sisters Valerie (Murray) Bedford Brandon, MB; Donna (John) vanDyken Tillsonburg, ON; brother-in-law Gordon Martin Kamloops, BC; brother-in-law Donald (Annie) Corbett The Pas, MB, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

   Marlene was predeceased by her father Ernie (1990); mother Marge (1993); sister Darlene (2018); brother Wray (2024); father-in-law William Webster Corbett (1991); mother-in-law Rachel Bertina Corbett (1996); sister-in-law Esther McCotter (2009).

   Marlene was going to be a great grandma to Parker Jack Corbett (parents Grayson & Kelsey, Edmonton, AB) at the end of March. Her heart would have been bursting with pride and joy.

   Marlene was a member of the Elvis Presley Fan Club and The Monkees

Fan Club.

   She was an active member of the WI in Lenswood for many years. She was very involved in the community and played bingo at the Birch River Legion Hall for over 40 years.

  In her younger years she cooked in bush camps with her aunt.

  Marlene loved to bake and cook, and she always made everyone a special

meal for their birthday. Grandpa Corbett always said she was the perfect height for blueberry

picking. One time Marlene and her mom thought they could use regular soap in the dishwasher. Needless to say, every towel in the house was used trying to

clean up the bubbles. Marlene loved shopping in the kids’ section at the Saan Store so she didn’t

have to pay the tax!!! When Marlene got her driver’s licence Jim put a block of wood on the gas

pedal so she could reach it!

   Marlene never started to do chores or milk cows until she married Jim. Growing up on the farm we called her “miss goody two shoes” as she wasn’t allowed in the barn. Brian and Barb remember going to visit Marlene & Jim in the winter. Their vehicle got stuck and Brian had to walk in from the road. When he got to the house, Brian looked in the kitchen window and scared Marlene. She

jumped so high that she wasn’t 4’8”, she was 5’6” for a moment. Donna’s fondest memory of Marlene was when she took her laundry to mom & dads, and she fell in the washer trying to get a sock out. She had to call Jim to help her get out. Dad said “you should have done anything

but tell us you fell in”.

  When Ernie was in air cadets, Marlene attempted to sew a badge on his sleeve. She sewed his sleeve together and Auntie Val had to come to the rescue. Do you suppose she did that on purpose!! Ernie took his mom to see Alan Jackson at the Calgary Stampede, Marlene was trying to get closer and the security commented that they shouldn’t let kids be so close to the edge. Jim remembers when Marlene made cinnamon buns and forgot to put the cinnamon and sugar in them. She never said anything and continued to put them in Jim’s lunch.

   Marlene inherited the nickname quarter pint, and her sister Val was half pint

and that name stuck. Marlene never held back on anything. When she laughed or cried, she was

all in. If only Marlene was here, she could tell many stories about the farm in Minitonas and the farm in Lenswood. Just like her brother Wray, she loved to play Skipbo. They might be playing it now - who might have the winning hand?

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Swan Valley Health Facilities Foundation Box 1450, Swan River, MB, R0L 1Z0.