Corbiell, Loretta Fay

Corbiell,Loretta Fay

Loretta Fay Corbiell passed away on Nov. 18/23 at the age of 86 in Airdrie, 2 days after leaving a 2 month stay in hospital.  She contracted an illness just before leaving the hospital ward, which was on COVID outbreak status.  She is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Gabe Corbiell.  She is survived by son Wade (Shirley) of Edmonton, daughter Fay (Marcel) of Airdrie, grandchildren Rowena & Dustin, great-granddaughter Quinn, her brother Bill McKeever (Jean) of Canmore, nephews Robin (Milaine) & Brian, and great-nephew Xavier.

 Loretta & Gabe married in 1957 and moved to Brooks in 1969 where she started working at an answering service despite having a significant vision impairment – she was legally blind.  She developed an uncanny ability to remember phone numbers & the names of staff at the companies that used the answering service.  She was proud that she was able to buy & grow the business.  After selling their businesses, she and Gabe spent the next 15 years travelling to Arizona each winter.  In Dec. 2016, he & Loretta moved to Sagewood Seniors Community in Strathmore when Gabe’s health deteriorated.

 In her early years, Loretta very much enjoyed riding horses then transitioned to playing stand-up base fiddle.  She played for many years in dance bands, with Gabe on the drums.  They played in community halls and, after the band days, Gabe would drive her to play in jam sessions.  Throughout her retirement years, being visually impaired, Loretta spent most of her days listening to talking books & old-time country music CDs.  In the final months of her life, she enjoyed traveling by Handi-Bus to watch community jam sessions in Gleichen, Strathmore & N.E. Calgary.

A funeral service will take place on Sat. Dec. 2 at Hope Community Covenant Church, 245 Brent Blvd., Strathmore, AB, at 11:00 am, with luncheon to follow.  A private interment at Gleichen Cemetery will follow the luncheon.  In consideration of the health needs of family and visitors who could be more susceptible to airborne infections, the family asks that visitors wear masks during the service – masks and hand sanitizer will be available at the door. 

In memory of Loretta, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the CNIB Foundation at https://www.cnib.ca. 

Funeral arrangements entrusted to:

SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD., BROOKS, ALBERTA

Condolences may be forwarded through   www.sfh.ca  

Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free 866-362-4652

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