Mary Kathryn Corbett, of Moosic, passed away Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, at Geisinger CMC after a brief illness. Born Oct. 1, 1949, to the late Joseph (Jake) and Mary Payton Corbett of Minooka, Mary relished her role as the eldest of her beloved seven siblings. A graduate of Central High School and Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Mary began her first career as an English teacher at Dunmore High School. Mary spoke proudly of her 15 years as a public school teacher and would be thrilled by news of former students’ career accomplishments for the remainder of her life. She made several lifelong friends at Dunmore and was an unabashed defender of the public school system, crediting the dedicated and inspirational teachers who taught her at South Scranton Junior High and Central High School as the reason she was drawn to become one herself. In mid life, Mary earned a Certificate in Employee Benefit Plans, Lawyer’s Assistant Program at Adelphi University. Her studies and drive paid off in 1986 when she began her career in retirement planning with The Principal Financial Group. She continued to advance her career with The Vanguard Group and Merrill Lynch Group Financial Services. In 1990, Mary took a brief detour from retirement services to spend time as a vice president of sales with Hemingway Development Corporation assisting in the establishment of the residential sales department of Glenmaura on Montage Mountain. In 1992, Mary returned to the world of retirement planning with Prudential Retirement Services. During her decade long span at Prudential, she held several leadership positions, where she helped to cultivate the lives and careers of many colleagues who remained her treasured friends for many years. Mary’s final career position was as vice president of Defined Contribution Services with Pentegra Retirement Services in White Plains, N.Y. When her time with Pentegra ended, Mary returned to Minooka to assist her mother to recover from a bad fall. Once her mother was healed, Mary purchased what would become her dream home in Moosic. She thoroughly enjoyed overseeing every detail of the remodel and decoration of her beautiful home. Upon completion, it was her pride and joy showplace. Ever the consummate hostess, no expense was spared to ensure that Mary’s friends and family were properly wined and dined. Every detail of décor mattered to her. Proudly serving as the family historian, Mary was a gifted storyteller. A visit with her always included being regaled with tales of the numerous Payton and Corbett family adventures or Mary’s own many travel experiences including her two trips driving cross country and her trips to Ireland. Nothing made Mary happier than celebrating the accomplishments of her siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. She took great pleasure in offering support, advice and unconditional love to her loved ones. She proudly shared the title “Aunt Mary” with her mother. Aunt Mary joyfully introduced the younger generation to fine dining in Manhattan, Broadway shows and formal tea parties among so many other adventures. She will be remembered as the Keystone of her generation of Payton and Corbett cousins. Mary will be eternally missed by her wide circle of friends and family. Mary is survived by her Uncle Martin Judge, Aunt Nancy Payton Snopik, as well as her younger siblings, Cathleen and husband, Thomas Shields; James and wife, Joanne Price Corbett; Susan Corbett, Eileen and husband, Mark Occhipinti; Joseph and wife, Ellen McCool Corbett; Clare Corbett and Robert and wife, Trish Finnerty Corbett. She was the proud aunt to Sara Shields, Selena and Matt Lynn, Molly Shields, Michael and Dana Shields, Anna, Susan and Tommy Occhipinti, Joe and Maura Corbett, Patrick and Kayleigh Corbett, Brian, Tim, Jimmy, Christopher and Elizabeth Corbett. She is also survived by her greatest joy, her 13 great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her uncles and aunts, Mary was preceded in death by her great nephew, James Patrick Corbett; and special cousin-friends, Julie Judge, Renie Payton Collier and Michael Sweeney. Due to COVID restrictions, no visitation hours are planned. The family will attend a private Mass of Christian Burial by the Rev. Francis L. Pauselli at St. Joseph’s Church, Divine Mercy Parish, Minooka, on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at 11 a.m. Friends and extended family may view the livestream celebration of Mary’s life by visiting Youtube at bit.ly/htechfssa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s name to United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern PA, 425 Alder St., Scranton, PA 18505.

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