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Mary Elizabeth Corbett

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Mary Elizabeth Corbett, 75, died January 22, 2023 from complications of cancer at her home in Camp Hill, PA. 

Pook, as she was known, was born Dec. 26, 1947 in Chicago, the oldest of seven children. Her parents, Edward P.J. and Sylvia Mikkelsen Corbett, died in 1998 and 1986 respectively. 

Pook was among the last generation of children afflicted with polio since a vaccine became widely available in the late 1950s. At age 5, she was a poster child for the March of Dimes. 

Pook overcame her disability to lead a full and productive life with many friends, a large extended family and her beloved cats, Clancy, Pepe and Gigi.

Pook was educated at Omaha’s Duchesne Academy and Creighton University. She graduated in 1969 from Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in English. 

Pook taught English at Ohio State before moving to Pennsylvania with her then husband, Russ Sheetz.   She was passionate about the written word and continued her teaching career after moving.

In her earlier years she worked tirelessly gathering books for the comprehensive annual sale sponsored by the AAUW.

She worked for 30 years at the Navy Supply Depot in the Navy Fleet Materials Support Office until she retired in 2007. 

She loved reading the news, especially “The Week”, tirelessly watched C-Span, CNN, MSNBC and finished off with a nightly laugh a la Stephen Colbert whom she idolized. 

Pook was a movie enthusiast, and routinely went to theaters with various groups of friends. 

Even though she left the teaching profession (too early, sadly, for potential students), she continued her keen interest in educating the young by mentoring students from the Mechanicsburg School District. 

She played bridge with various groups of senior seniors –several in their nineties –whose acumen never ceased to amaze her. 

Most recently she became involved in a French study group at the Cleve J. Fredrickson Library. This group, her bridge games, and weekly dinners out with longtime friends, were her last important social connections.

Pook was an aunt figure to many friends children, her love was far reaching.

Pook had a way of making people feel special. She delighted at your presence, wanted to know everything about you and was interested whether you were family or someone she just met. 

She loved a good conversation and she accepted all viewpoints whether an opposing political party -she sought to understand people.

She was glamourous and never missed a chance to dress to the 9’s. Her sparkling eyes and & bright smile made her easy company and people were drawn to her light. Her energy and joy would light up a room, her positivity, wicked sense of humor and love for all things beautiful made people love her. 

She is survived by brothers Jim, John, Peter (Taffy), and Tom (Beth), sister Maureen and sister-in-law Jan. Also, nieces Sophia, Elizabeth, Karina, Jenny and Kelly, plus nephews Peter, Thomas , Austin and 3 grand-nephews. A sister Cathy died in 1986.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ASPCA.

A private memorial will be held by the family at a later date.

The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Corbett family.

8 comments on “Mary Elizabeth Corbett”

  1. I was one of the lucky high school classmates who knew Pook early but for too short a time. Happy to see she went on to have the full life as described in her obituary. It brought back memories and reinforced my first impressions of Pook’s nature and gifts. Wish we had reconnected more often. Lovely joyful funny smart spirit always.

  2. I met Pook while working at the Navy Depot.
    she was one of the sweetest persons I met.
    She will be sorely missed.

  3. My dear sister Pook shall forever be an inspuration to me for overcoming life difficulties, and expressing love and joy through her sparkling Being. Though she was afflicted with a limp from her polio, she never let it spite her down. She always jumped in for backyard while ball, hide and seek or games off tag. And in her life she excelled at making those around her feel loved and valued. Her Light carries on. Fly with the Angels dear Pookie.

  4. I will miss you much, Pook. You brought laughter and joy to me, and I couldn’t have ever found a better neighbor and friend. I love you❤️

  5. I worked with Pook for many years when she did contracting for the Navy. It was only after a year or two I realized SHE was the Pook who was my neighbor on Rauch St! (How could I have missed that original name!) As kids, Pook always invited us up for snacks and dressed as a witch for Halloween each year having scary-fun parties complete with many of her cats. Pook was a very special lady – intelligent, beautiful inside and out. Lots of smiles and laughter were a signature trait. In our latter years we exchanged movie critiques which I knew she loved seeing especially in her retirement years. I am saddened she was taken from us all too soon. I pray she is once again helping the those in Heaven – she was a gift to so many, young and old!

  6. Pook took my fingerprints my first day of working for the Dept of the Navy. Our paths crossed over the years until we ended up working in the same department. She was a good friend (to everybody really) and a bright light. Her smile was always a welcome sight! Sincere condolences to her family.

  7. We knew Pook only through our time to gather at FMSO, but she was a delight to be around and work with. Always ready and willing to help. Sincere condolences to her family.

  8. A truly beautiful person. Worked with Pook for many years at FMSO and never saw her in a bad mood. Always smiling and laughing she was just a fun positive person.

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