Margaret Mary ‘Mardee’ Corbett, lifelong educator
Margaret Mary “Mardee” Corbett (nee Powell), 77, of Rehoboth Beach passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018.
Mardee was born Aug. 28, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pa. She was a graduate of Villa Maria Academy High School and Rosemont College. In 1963, she married Michael A. Corbett Sr. Mardee and Mike lived in New York and New Jersey, where they raised their three children. She earned her master’s degree in education from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
She finished her 31-year career in education at Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, N.J., where she tirelessly gave of herself coaching tennis, coordinating food drives and Christmas toy collections, serving on numerous committees and announcing plays from the booth as the voice of the Green Knights football team. Mardee was genuinely beloved by her students. Her innovation in the classroom, tireless dedication and genuine concern for her students earned her Teacher of the Year in 1990 by the school’s faculty.
In 1998, Mardee and Mike retired to Rehoboth Beach. Mardee enjoyed bridge, tennis and golf as a member of Kings Creek Country Club. She was a huge supporter of the Jean and Joan Cancer Fund as well as many other charities. Mardee had a passion for life, for her family and her friends. All who met Mardee were touched by her genuine kindness, honesty, sincerity, wisdom and forthrightness. Mardee will be deeply missed.
Mardee is survived by her daughter, Sharon Corbett (Calvin Jaber) of Wilmington; her sons Michael A. Corbett Jr. (Lillian) of Florham Park, N.J., and Brian P. Corbett (Lee) of Baltimore, Md.; eight grandchildren, Amanda, Ian, Michael, Adam, Lily, Jack, Maggie and Patrick; sister Isabel Martin (Guy); and brothers Sydney J. Powell III (Katherine), Kevin R. Powell (Irene) and Gregory J. Powell (Marie); her sister-in-law Linda (Cordell) Berman, brother-in-law Jack Brennan, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Dr. Sydney J. Powell Jr. and Margaret Mary (Valentine) Powell, Mardee was preceded in death by her husband, Michael A. Corbett Sr.; and her sister Cynthia Brennan.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m., at St. Edmond Roman Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mardee's name to the Jean and Joan Cancer Fund or to the Tunnell Cancer Center, both c/o Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Please visit Mrs. Corbett's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
