Mary C. McCorkle

Mary Catherine McCorkle, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, died peacefully on June 5, 2014 from cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends at her home in Lakewood, California. Mary was born to John and Georgia Brady on October 3, 1929, in Long Beach, California. She grew up with her parents and brother, Jack, in Lynwood, Long Beach and Compton. In 1947, she graduated from Compton Union High School where she competed as a volleyball player and volunteered for organizations supporting the armed forces and war effort. After high school, Mary worked as an accountant, married, and gave birth to her daughter Linda. Throughout her life, Mary enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. The holidays were an especially busy time as she enjoyed hosting large get togethers for Thanksgiving where her famous cooking drew dozens of guests. She hosted an annual Christmas Open House that drew over 100 guests every year. In addition, she loved having her high school friends over every year for their annual meal and reunion, a tradition that lasted for over sixty years. Everyone who knew Mary knows how much she loved to decorate for Christmas. Her house always looked amazing at this time of year, and visitors would spend hours exploring the house and enjoying the decorations. In 1981, Mary was blessed with a second marriage to Howard Y. McCorkle, M.D. Howard and Mary shared a passion for the outdoors. After both retired in 1986, they spent countless hours on the road in their motor home, exploring all parts of the U.S and Canada. Favorite stops included Morro Bay, “the cabin” in Silverado Canyon, and Alaska--all excellent areas for bird watching (she recorded sightings for over 400 species of birds on the west coast alone). Howard died in 2005 and her memories of their time together would always be a great source of happiness. In the years to come, Mary continued to be very busy. She traveled, entertained, made home improvements and visited her family and many friends. Mary’s close group of friends from St. Cyprian Church were a great joy for her. She also enjoyed the company of her nieces and spent many weeks with their families at their ranch in Panguitch, Utah. Mary also spent more and more time with her brother Jack. The two developed a close bond that enriched the later years of both their lives. They spent time at each other’s homes, traveled to Panguitch and the Cabin, and volunteered at Mary’s Kitchen in Santa Ana where they fed the homeless. Mary also loved the company of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially when good food was involved! Mary enjoyed sharing a specially prepared meal with her family followed by a night of playing games like Skipbo and Rummikub. When she became ill, Mary’s granddaughters cared for her ensuring that Mary’s life ended in her own home and on her own terms. Mary will always be remembered for her great optimism, organization, energy, and strong willed but gentle personality. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of twenty-four years Howard Y. McCorkle, M.D., daughter Linda Chesser, and brother Jack Brady. She is survived by nine step-children, fifteen grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Viewing: Friday, June 13, 5:00 pm, Luyben’s Family Mortuary, 5161 Arbor Road, Long Beach, California, 90808. Rosary will follow viewing at 7:00 pm. Funeral: Saturday, June 14, 10:00 am, St. Cyprian Catholic Church, 4714 Clark Avenue, Long Beach, California, 90808. Burial: following funeral mass, All Souls Cemetery, 4400 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, California, 90808. A reception will follow. Flowers can be sent to Luyben’s Mortuary or donations can be made to the American Heart Association. Condolences can be mailed to 4586 Avenida de las Flores, Yorba Linda, 92886.