Catherine LaRue Smith Corzine began her heavenly walk with her Lord and Savior on October 18th, 2021. Born on January 26th, 1927 in Hampstead, Maryland the daughter of William and Mary Treva Smith, she graduated from high school at age 16. After service with military intelligence during World War II, she enrolled in the nursing program at Lutheran Hospital in Baltimore. After graduation, she went to work for the Baltimore County Health Department, where she learned to drive on the health department pickup truck. She returned to Lutheran Hospital, where she met her husband to be, Dr. William J. Corzine Jr. They were married on February 15th, 1947 in Hereford, MD. Their loving marriage lasted 35 years, until his death on October 27th, 1982.
Surviving, and whose spouses she loved like her own children, are William J. (Jhan) Corzine III and spouse Joan; Lisa Nuckolls and spouse George; Jeff Corzine and spouse Emily; and Greg Corzine and spouse Liz. She is survived by nine grandchildren: Evan (Bri) Corzine, G.T. (Farheen) Nuckolls, Meredith (Ed) Wills, Caitlin (Neil) Hardin, Camryn Corzine, Winston (Abby) Corzine, Claire Corzine, Maris Corzine and Audrey Corzine and eight great grandchildren-- Charles Thomas and Graves Wills; Thomas Jeffrey, Will and Sarah Hardin; and Eshal, Mishal and Azalea Nuckolls.
She was predeceased by her husband and a grandson, Holden Corzine.
Catherine, after moving with William to Chillicothe in 1954, raised a family of her own and many others while becoming deeply involved in the community through her volunteer work with the American Red Cross, various PTOs, the American Field Service (AFS), PEO Sisterhood, the Ross County Nurses Guild, and the Adena Women’s Board. After Catherine sent her child started high school, she went to work in William’s medical office until his death. She then returned to her professional roots as a home health nurse for the Ross County Health Department. She was fiercely devoted to her church--Walnut Street United Methodist Church--where she served on the board of trustees, taught youth fellowship and Sunday school classes and led a Bethel Bible study program. Her faith was a pillar of her life. Most of all, she was Nana, Aunty Smitty, Mom and friend to so many people during her life. With her infectious smile, she radiated love and true friendship to everyone she knew.
Catherine loved her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with all her heart. She was the glue of the Corzine family. Her kindness, graciousness, good humor and intelligence were the foundation of her life and character. No matter the situation, she was always upbeat. Her love of animals was legendary and she was an avid reader.
The family would like to thank Mom’s Care Angels—Regina, Sarilda, Courtney, Sydney, Brianna, Brittany, Mackenzie, Payton, Hattie, Becca, and Twyla – who became part of our family and made her journey over the last few years so much more comfortable as she approached the end of her life, for their devotion and kindness. We would also like to thank Heartland Hospice for their devotion to helping us walk this end of life Journey with Mom, especially Kay and Maria. Our special thanks and love go to Regina Proctor, who has been an integral part of our extended family for more than 25 years.
Calling hours will take place at Ware Funeral Home on Friday October 22nd from 4-7 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 23rd at Noon at Walnut Street United Methodist Church with Pastor Therese Lehman officiating. Mask is optional. Catherine will be interred following the service at Grandview Cemetery where she will rest next to her beloved husband.
Memorials may be made to Walnut Street United Methodist Church, 16 S. Walnut St., Chillicothe, OH 45601, Ross County Humane Society, 2308 Lick Run Road, Chillicothe, OH 45601 or the social service organization of your choice.
You may sign her online register at www.warefh.com
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