Shirley Hawkins Corbin

On Sept. 16, 2013, our dearest Shirley Hawkins Corbin, born March 26, 1936, passed away peacefully in her sleep in her Oak Harbor home at 77 after an eight- year illness.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband Ralph M. Corbin; a son “Chip” Myron Corbin II and wife Laura, granddaughters Ashley Romerez and Bryana Corbin Romerez, and great-grandchild Joel Corbin; a daughter Jeannette Catherine Chapman, husband Robert, grandson Ian Ahernes and granddaughter Jordan Ahernes; brother Floyd; and sister Patricia.

A warm, caring person who always put others first, Shirley touched all who knew her. Her commitment to her husband, family, friends and colleagues is her legacy. She showed us the nature of boundless generosity and kindness. Knowing her made us different and better people. We are grateful for our time with her and will always carry her in our hearts.

Through the years, Shirley was a member of the Women’s Propeller Club and Master of Ceremonies for their fund raisers in San Diego. She did volunteer work for the American Red Cross, went to college to become an accountant and worked for Lear Jet and Texas Instruments and was responsible for setting their accounting standards throughout the United States. Shirley held the position of legal secretary for the San Diego Daily and did transcription for over 15 years, took a few years off to raise her children, worked another 17 years as executive director for the San Diego Association of Life Underwriters and then retired from that job and worked for private insurance companies until 1993. She moved to Tacoma for a period to help her daughter and grandson.

Shirley and Ralph then sold their home in San Diego and moved to Whidbey Island in 1994. Shirley was the only sibling to graduate from high school. She was a wonderful support to Ralph for over 34 years with his career in the USAF and was also a big support to her sister Patty and sister-in-law, Judy. While their husbands were serving overseas, each came with their own children to stay with Shirley and Ralph during these times while Shirley was also taking care of her own children with Little League, soccer and baseball. An avid bridge player, Shirley also loved to fish. Her ashes will be spread on her favorite lake, Thunder Lake, in the Cascades with ancient cedars and towering firs, sharing nature’s pristine beauty.

Shirley and Ralph would have shared their 50th wedding anniversary next month on Oct. 23. A private family celebration was held in the rose garden that Shirley loved to work in.

While going through Shirley’s things, Ralph came across a poem that she had written for him. Ralph would like to share it with you. It brought Ralph to his knees when he read it.

“From the heart”

How does one describe the sun;

The sound of a bird singing;

The feeling a poem can bring to a heart;

The sight of a plane winging?

How could one know the many feelings of love?

The pleasure and the pain;

The tenderness given by each to the other

as gentle as summer rain.

Take the meaning of all things wonderful

and of all things true;

Know my darling what you are to me

and what I feel I am to you.

For you, my love, may life always hold

all things both precious and fine;

And may you know I’ll love you always

And your love forever be mine.”

-I’ll love you always, Shirley-

-I’ll say goodbye-