Monday, October 8, 2012

Genevieve E. Corliss

                                                                                            Mom on October 1, 2012

Genevieve Eleanor Corliss was born in Danville, Illinois on March 1, 1920 and passed away on October 3, 2012 in Burien, WA at the age of 92. 
 
Mom grew up during the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. As a young woman she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corp during World War II.  She served as a telephone operator.  She returned to Seattle and continued to work for the telephone company.  In 1946 she met Robert T. Corliss and they married in August 1947.  In the years that followed they had two children, Mark and Bonita.

Mom was always up to try something new.  As a family we skied, ice skated and played tennis.  Mom and Dad both loved golf, which they played for many years.  They were both accomplished “hole in one” golfers during their years of retirement in Arizona.  They lived there for 28 years, but always found time to come back to Seattle to visit many times over the years.

With Dad’s passing in June 2007, Mom lost her companion and friend of 60 years.  She adjusted to living full time in Seattle and spent many happy hours with her daughter Bonita shopping, going to lunch, and enjoying the scenery on long car rides.  She always enjoyed holiday celebrations with Bonita and Pamela and in 2010; their daughter Haven joined the fun.

Mom struggled with ill health in the last years of her life, but proved to be a strong and determined person.  She lived her life the way she chose to live it.  One example of her determination occurred in early May 2011 when she was recuperating from a broken hip.  She decided that she wanted to go home before her release date.  She escaped from the facility and took a cab home!  Mom could be a force of nature!

She was preceded in death by her father Clifton, Mother Carolyn, sisters Helen and Juanita, and her husband Robert T. Corliss.  She is survived by her son Mark (Sharon), daughter Bonita (Pamela) and four grandchildren, Danny, Josh, Lizzie and Haven.

The family would like to thank her caregivers at Highline Hospice, Scott, Rosie and Sharon.  The family would also like to thank all the staff at Burien Nursing and Rehabilitation and Dr. Buttitta.  They provided Mom with the best of care over the last several months of Mom’s life.

Mom always said "I love you so" as I left the nursing home.  I loved her as much as she loved me and I will always be grateful that she was my Mom.

At her request, there will be no service.  Cremation took place on October 12, 2012.  Now Genevieve and Robert will be buried together on October 15, 2012 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Seattle, WA.  Mom and Dad can finally rest in peace next to her mother, Carolyn L. Marion.   

God bless them all. 



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