Margaret Elizabeth Corbett departed this world on November 10, 2018 at Apple Cooney Care Home where she had resided since November 2017. Margaret was born on December 5, 1922 in Revere, Massachusetts as the third child of Daniel and Mary Murray. Margaret was raised in the family home on Harrington Street with her seven brothers and sisters and attended Immaculate Conception High School. Her parents and brothers Jim, John, Frank and Bill Murray preceded her in death. Her eldest sister Ellen Lovaglio and youngest sister Betty Spezzaferri also preceded her in death.
During World War II Margaret met her soul mate and best friend Thomas Francis Corbett. Margaret and Tom were married on February 16, 1947 in Revere, Massachusetts. A year later their first child James joined them and three years later they added their son Thomas to the family.
During the early 1950’s the family resided in Revere, Massachusetts eventually settling in the Maplewood section of Malden, Massachusetts where their family home would remain until Margaret’s relocation to Helena, Montana in November 1988.
During the majority of her life, Margaret was employed in the retail sales and clerical support areas. She was very active in community activities including Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Parent Teacher Association and Catholic Daughters. Following her relocation to Helena, Margaret was an active member of the Fortnightly Club and the Red Hat Society.
During the 1990’s her brother John Murray whom she travelled and resided with until his death in May 2012 joined her in her Helena home. During those years Margaret and John travelled throughout various locations in the Northwest and Canada, while enjoying the winter months in their alternative residence located in Mesa, Arizona.
Throughout her life Margaret shared numerous long-term friendships. She treasured her friendships and believed that no one ever needed to be a stranger. Margaret also was the consummate hostess having entertained hundreds of persons in her home throughout her life.
Margaret loved all people, saw the good in all of those with whom she came in contact, believed in the power of forgiveness, and was devout in her Catholic Faith.
Her son Jim and wife Janet Corbett of Coronado, California, son Tom and wife Maggi Corbett of Helena, Montana, survive Margaret. Margaret particularly loved and cared for her surviving grandchildren and their families: Alexandra Corbett of Missoula, Chris/Erin Kosena and their daughter Nora of Missoula, Montana and Marcus/Hsiang-Yi Lin Kosena and their daughter Maya of San Francisco, California. She also shared a close and loving relationship with her remaining younger sister, Marie Mc Dermott of Stoneham, Massachusetts, brother-in-law Thomas Lovaglio of Revere, Massachusetts; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, grand nephews and nieces throughout the United States.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to the staff of Apple Cooney, the staff of the Legacy, Dr. Diane Nowak, Dr. V. Lee Harrison, and Dr. Richard Paustian and their staffs. Additionally, the family would like to thank special friends, Mary Kerins, Dolly Gilbert, Amy Herrington, Jean and Doug Matthies, Lynn Maierle and Joe Petkewich, for their care and kindness to Margaret.
A celebration on Margaret’s life will be held at a date that will be announced in the future. To offer condolences, please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Larriann Murphy says
Tom, Maggie and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Maargaret. She was a great lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Larriann, Mike Murphy and family
Linda Pouliot says
Tom,Maggie & Family
Sending love & prayers to you & yours during this very hard time 😔
She was great fun in the hair salon
God Bless all of you 🙏🏻
Linda Pouliot & Family🤟🏼
Rev. Richard G. Francesco says
Margaret was an absolute delight to see at monthly Masses at Cooney and at other visits. I am grateful to read so much more about her life in the obituary. Thanks to all who composed it. She will be remembered at the altar at Saint Mary Catholic Community. It has been a blessing to know her.
Tom and Barbara Keegan says
Tom and Maggie, Very sorry to read about Tom’s mother’s death. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Diane Langenfus says
Tom, Maggi, and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. She sounds like a very active and wonderful woman. Please accept our condolences and know were thinking of all of you at this time of loss.
Diane and Mike Langenfus
Roberta Carr says
I will miss knowing she is out there somewhere, smiling at someone. Her grace, her wit, and her compassion I will always remember. A treasured one of a kind. God Speed, Margaret.
William Dunbar says
Tom Maggie and Alex- So sorry about the loss of your Mother. A lovely lady and our pleasure to have known her. A life well lived. Our prayers for her and your family. Love- Bill and Helen
deb jacobsen says
It was always wonderful to have Alex’s grandmother come to school programs and activities. Her warm heart and bright smile enriched our school. I’m so grateful to have known her!
Sincerely,
Deb Jacobsen, principal
Frank & Ya Redman says
Frank & Ya Redman;
Remembering all of the vey pleasent days we spent together
Mary L Kuffner says
We are the nephew and niece of Dollie Gilbert. We enjoyed many dinners at Dollies with Margaret! She was such a lovely person and had a great sense of humor. We visited her at the Legacy . We live in Alaska and unfortunately spent much time in The Crest with Dollies sister Charlotte. She passed away in March. We lost track of Margaret and did not know she was moved! Our heartfelt sympathies to the family on your loss.
Steve and Mary Lou Kuffner
Ed Sheehy says
Tom & Maggi, and family: You all are in my prayers for the loss of Tom’s mother.Losin a parent is very difficult. They will though, be with you, in heart& spirit; as there is no such thing as closure.
All my best, your friend,
Ed Sheehy
Mary Ann Akers says
Tom, Maggi and family,
Our sympathy at your loss. I remember well when she moved to Helena.
Prayers and blessings,
Mary Ann and Larry Akers
Vicki Willert says
My sympathies go out to Margaret’s family, she was always a breath of fresh air when she came into the salon and she always made everyone smile. She was one of a kind and a great lady.
heidi brown says
To have been a part of Margaret’s life was a blessing. Her sharp wit, and constant smile lit up every place she visited. While never straying from her roots as an Irish Catholic girl, she was an inspiration of perseverance, independence and strength – you couldn’t push her around! Most importantly, her warm blanket of love and acceptance was a true reflection of God’s presence in her life. We will miss that blanket.
The Jim & Lynne Maierle family says
A grand celebration in heaven as my Mom Louise & Fr. John along with so many others esp. Margaret’ dear husband have welcomed her. We all were blessed to have been touched by her🙏
Cathleen Lynch says
Tom and Maggie – we were saddened to hear that Margaret has left this life- not for her, but for all of us who will miss her gracious hospitality and genuine love. We were reminded again yesterday when speaking to Dr Mike Strekell of Helena (son of a resident at Vista here in Billings where we are blessed to conduct word and communion services once a month). He had met Father John and Margaret at the Cathedral. May you cherish all of your great memories to warm your hearts this winter and in the years to come. Cathleen and Bill Lynch
PS – Cathy’s Mom Mary whose 96th birtday was Nov 26 is living with us now.