Consuelo Corbett

(Dorothy) Consuelo Corbett of Bellevue passed away on June 26 after a short illness. She was born in Surrey, B.C. on November 19, 1934. Following high school in Cloverdale, B.C., Consuelo trained as a psychiatric nurse before moving to Vancouver General Hospital and becoming an R.N.

Following her marriage to Gary Corbett in 1958, they moved to Toronto where their two children, Marilyn and Daryl were born. The family returned to the west coast with a move to Seattle in 1963. It was here that Consuelo was able to get back to the piano. She had won awards for her playing as a teenager in B.C. She became a performing member of the Ladies Musical Club and taught piano, employing a group method developed by Robert Pace. Locating a house that would accommodate four pianos became a challenge. It was a great day when she could purchase a new grand piano out of her teaching earnings. She attended Seattle Community College and graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in music.

In 1983 Consuelo and Gary returned to Toronto where she refreshed her nursing skills and worked as a consultant to smaller companies who could not afford their own medical staff, advising them on ways to reduce Workers Compensation claims. Following a brief time in Atlanta, they concluded their pre-retirement life in New York City. Here she enhanced her piano skills with lessons at the famed 92nd St. Y.

In 1994, they retired back to the Seattle area, living in Clyde Hill, Medina, and downtown Bellevue, residing finally at The Bellettini. They traveled extensively in North America and abroad, including many bicycle tours. Consuelo remained active musically, entertaining at retirement homes and schools, playing in a piano quartet and in the Overlake Hospital lobby. She also enjoyed tennis and bridge and was a long-time member of the Seattle Tennis Club.

Her cheerful and loving personality will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband, Gary; their son, Daryl; their daughter, Marilyn; and grandchildren, Meghan and Russell. A celebration of Consuelo’s life will be held at a later date.