Obituary of Lois Corbett
Margaret Helen Lois Corbett (nee Grant) passed away peacefully, in the comforting presence of her two daughters, on September 15, 2021, at Kingston General Hospital. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband and partner of over 60 years, Bill, who died only one month before her, and by her much loved younger brother, James. Lois was born on November 10, 1932, in Smiths Falls, to Donald Grant and Mary Grant (nee Campbell). Donald was the Lock Master in Smiths Falls and Lois had many fond memories of growing up in the Lock Master’s house along the Rideau Canal with her brother, Jim. Lois attended Smiths Falls Collegiate, graduating with prizes in both academics and athletics. She attended Queen’s University in Kingston, receiving an Honours degree in History, Economics and Politics (Arts ’54). She treasured the many lifelong friendships she made at Queen’s and Goodwin House. After graduating, Lois and two friends backpacked around Europe, rare for young women at the time, before she started work as a “research associate” in Ottawa for two years, helping to decode foreign intelligence intercepts, something she never disclosed to anyone, even Bill, until the last months of her life. It was early at Queen’s that Lois met the love of her life, Bill (Meds ’56). They married in December 1956 and two daughters, Susan (Ken Smith) and Cynthia (John Visser), and a son, Hugh (Denise Lash) soon joined the family. When Bill began his career as a pathologist at Queen’s and KGH, Lois began hers running a busy household and raising the children. In 1982, confident the kids were on their way, Lois earned an M. Ed. from Queen’s and returned to the workforce as a counsellor in the rehabilitative services group at the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Lois’s pride and joy was the Grant family cottage on Big Rideau Lake. She went there every summer of her life and rebuilt it for the next generation in the 1990’s. Lois and Bill spent many happy days there, raising their kids and grandkids and hosting many friends and family over the years. Lois was an enthusiastic bridge player and treasured the close friendships she formed with her bridge groups. In retirement, Bill and Lois travelled extensively and enjoyed activities at the Kingston Seniors Centre. In addition to her children, Lois leaves behind six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, her dear nephews, Andrew and Angus Botterell, and her two friends and sisters-in-law, Mary Botterell and Karen Grant. Lois was cremated and her life, and Bill’s, will be celebrated together. A visitation will be held from 7 pm to 9 pm on Friday, September 17th.Tributes may be sent to tributesloiscorbett@gmail.com.
A funeral service will be held for Bill and Lois on Saturday, September 18th from 2 pm to 4 pm at James Reid Funeral Home. Due to Covid restrictions, following the funeral service there will be a private, invitation only reception limited to 25 family and other invitees.
