Irene Corbett celebrates 100th
GLADYS SHAY / For the Hungry Horse News
The tiny teacher who moved to Coram 78 years ago observed her 100th birthday, Sept. 14. She was born in Tacoma in 1909.
Irene Corbett was honored with a party given by family members at the Village Greens Community Center in Kalispell. She was alert and enjoyed visiting with former students, family members and friends.
The young teacher graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., in 1929. Irene chose to teach in Galata because she had relatives in Whitefish and thought she would be closer to them.
She was the only teacher of 12 students in all classes at Pondera School on the Bootlegger Trail between Shelby and Conrad. She lived at the teacherage at the one room school. In later years she recalled how homesick she was but determined to stay there. After two years she moved to Coram to teach and was closer to Knapton kin in Whitefish.
The Corbett family boarded teachers in Coram and she stayed with them. She met Charles (Compton) Corbett, her future husband. They were married Aug. 25, 1932, in Kalispell. She continued teaching Coram children until 1934. She started teaching there again in 1961 and later taught in Hungry Horse, retiring in 1973.
Compton, also called Red, was born Aug. 6, 1910 in Cartwright, N.D., He played basketball while attending Eastern Montana College in Billings. His employment included Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps during depression years. Work with the CCC included construction of Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park. Duties included driving truckloads of boulders. He was a cook earning $30 a month and termed it the best job he ever had. Later, Compton owned his own sawmill, cut railroad ties, and hauled timber for Earl Page Lumber Co. in Coram. He died at home from a heart attack Dec. 17, 1958.
Friends told me Irene was a good neighbor and well liked. Parents of former students complimented Irene as a good teacher loved by students. She maintained discipline without making a big fuss about it. Even some elementary students were taller than Mrs. Corbett.
Irene always drove a big car and said she felt safer in it. Irene was an octogenarian when a friend provided her with a pillow so she could see better over the dash. It also permitted oncoming drivers to know there was someone behind the steering wheel.
Irene was treasurer of Coram Community Church for 25 years. She always amazed members because she could accurately add, refusing to use a calculator. She was longtime church pianist and Ladies Aid member.
Irene was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, Garden Club, an Avon lady, in addition to church interests. She was a member of Pacific Lutheran University Alumni Association and attended the 50th anniversary of her class in 1979. She paid dues until moving to Brendan House. Irene was made first Lifetime Honorary Member of the Teakettle Quilters Guild when she moved to Brendan House and could no longer remain active.
Sadness in Irene's long life included deaths of her husband and two sons, Gerald Clark (Jerry) Corbett, Oct. 21,1986 and an infant son, Charles Calvin Corbett, in 1934.
Family members hosting Irene's 100th birthday party were Jim and Deanne Corbett, Polson; Bonnie and Fred Kirkpatrick, Joyce Corbett, Kalispell; Jack and Lori Corbett, Columbia Falls. Her grandchildren assisted and enjoyed visiting.
Special guests were Irene's sister, Florence (Bobbeye) Rogers and son, Rick Rogers, Mountain Home, Idaho.
Irene and her family members thank all who attended the birthday celebration, sent cards, and telephoned best wishes.
Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News