Theresa Ann Corbett

Theresa Ann Corbett (née Sweeney) was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Julia and Joseph Sweeney on May 25, 1930.  She died at age 93 at her home in Stillwater on Thursday, Sept 7, 2023.

Terri was preceded in death by her cherished husband William James “Jim” Corbett (2012); her sons Bill (2003) and Ron (2022); and she was the last surviving member of her family, which included her siblings Joseph, Quentin, Clare (Tyler), Vincent, infant Leo, and Jerome.

She is survived by her daughters Nanette (Jim) and Paula (Terry); sons Patrick (Angelina) and Richard; daughters-in-law Caroline (Bill) and Lany (Ron); and many much-loved nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Terri held dear to her heart the many women in her life, including her sister Clare, sisters-in-law Nelda, Irene, Phyllis, Marilyn, Liz, Kate, Patty, Joan, Betty, and Marlys, and also her La Crosse nursing friends Ginny Larkin, Sue Rendler, and Mary Ritter.  Many of these women and their spouses became godparents to her children.

Terri graduated from Aquinas High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin, followed by St. Francis Nursing College (now Viterbo) in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she received her nursing degree and RN certification. She worked as a surgical nurse in the Minneapolis area for several years prior to her marriage to Jim in 1952 and continued in that profession for a short time following their marriage until she and Jim started their family and raised six children.

She supported her husband Jim in many ways, being actively involved with the Plumbers Local 15 in Minneapolis and nationally with the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE), as well as helping him at the Union Trades booth at the Minnesota State Fair while keeping track of six kids roaming around on the fairgrounds.

Terri and Jim frequently hosted card parties and sports get-togethers for family, friends, and neighbors, with an open invitation to all.  Terri was a great entertainer and her vivacious spirit and large laugh were a part of all of these gatherings.

Terri was a huge sports fan.  She loved watching Twins and Vikings games, her favorite college basketball team was Duke University, and her favorite NBA basketball team was the Golden State Warriors.

She was a very talented seamstress and Nanette and Paula enjoyed choosing sewing patterns and fabrics with her for dresses she made for Easter and Christmas.  She volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother for Pat, Rick, Ron, and Bill at St. Anne’s Grade School in North Minneapolis.  She was a dedicated Catholic who volunteered her time and services at St. Anne’s Church and Grade School.  She enjoyed gardening, especially her roses, and the entire family was involved in caring for her gardens.  She was always baking, sewing, and knitting for her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren. 

When the kids got older, she went back to the nursing profession she loved, working with Group Health (now HealthPartners) at their St. Louis Park location until her retirement from there after 30 years of service. Terri was a Mary Kay Cosmetics consultant and also operated her own cleaning business.

She was an accomplished baker, making and decorating homemade cakes for all the family birthdays, always honoring the specific requests made for cake and frosting flavors. Terri was a sweet and giving person.  She was known for giving away her baked goods to family, friends, caregivers, and sometimes people she hardly knew. Many will fondly remember her chocolate chip cookies (never with nuts because Bill hated nuts) and her chocolate chip banana bread.

Terri was a bright light on earth, always a twinkle in her eye, a beautiful smile, teasing others, loving all. Please gather with your family and friends in memory of Terri. She loved a good party.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at The Lakes at Stillwater, the place Terri called home for the past four years.  Family would also like to thank NP Jenna and the staff at Bluestone Physicians for their care and attention.  Family is especially thankful for and appreciative of RN Ryan and his team at Lakeview Homecare & Hospice.

Funeral services on Monday, September 25, 2023, Visitation 10:00 a.m. prior to 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 423 Fifth Street South, Stillwater.  Luncheon following at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Interment Service Wednesday, September 27, 2023, Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Meet at Assembly Area 6 at 10:15 sharp for the 15-minute committal service at 10:30 a.m. Terri will be interred with her cherished husband Jim.