Joyce “Elaine” Corbett, 83, of Marion, passed on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Syracuse, Indiana. She was born in Marion, Indiana, on January 4, 1941, to Russell and Evelyn (Hillyer) Mitchell.
Elaine graduated from Bennett High School in 1959 and the University of Tampa in 1964, where she received her B.A. in Education. She taught History, Art, and English at Bennett/St. Paul for over 30 years and later at Peru Middle School. Elaine loved teaching. She was a respected and beloved teacher who cherished interacting with her students, organizing formal dances, and sponsoring the cheerleaders. Elaine was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, and Tri Kappa. She also enjoyed watching Raiders and Colts football, as well as dancing with the Parents without Partners club.
Elaine was a kind, generous, and caring woman whose hobby was buying gifts for her loved ones. She loved Christmas and would shop all year long for just the right gifts (yes, plural) for everyone. Her love and kindness even extended to her pets. She was always feeding and/or saving any stray animal that came her way.
Her Catholic faith meant everything to her, and she proudly shared the church’s teachings and traditions with students and family. She was also a staunch Republican and proudly proclaimed herself a “Trumpette”.
In 1975, she sponsored the Pham family from Vietnam. They quickly became family, and Elaine was so very proud of all they accomplished and loved them dearly.
Survivors include her sisters, Lydia (Andy) Church and Rhonda (Donald) Scheer; honorary sister, Hong (Dao) Pham; honorary children, Phong (Van) Pham, Thai (Alana) Pham, Loc (Anh Thu) Pham, Tigon (Jeff) Dausman, and Joyce (Matt) Simpkins; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, whom she loved dearly and showered with love, gifts, and affection.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her honorary sibling, Dao Pham.
The family will receive visitors from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN. The family has requested to come prepared to share stories and memories at 5:30 pm for a small celebration of life followed by praying the Rosary.
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, a funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1031 W. Kem Rd., Marion, IN. Entombment will take place at Gardens of Memory immediately after mass.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Marion-Grant County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1921, Marion, IN 46952, or St. Paul Catholic Schools, 1031 W. Kem Rd., Marion, IN 46952.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
