12/22/1931 - 5/26/2023
Catherine Ann Corboy was born on 12/22/1931 in St. Paul, MN and died on 05/26/2023 in Omaha, NE at the age of 91 years. She was preceded in death by her Father, Albert T. Corboy, her Mother, Catherine A. Tierney Corboy and her older brother, James Corboy. Catherine is survived by her younger sister and “best friend”, Mary Elizabeth Corboy who resides in Spokane, WA. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and now grand nieces and nephews as well as many friends.
The Corboys lived first in Minnesota, and then, when Catherine was 11 years old moved to Indiana and, in her later high school years, to Omaha.
Catherine was four years older than Mary Elizabeth and for a while, it was the usual practice to exchange formals for school dances as Catherine was in college and Mary Elizabeth in high school. That is, until Mary Elizabeth continued to grow and the necklines of their dresses that were perfectly ladylike for Catherine dropped precipitously for Mary Elizabeth. Catherine decided “the nuns would not like that” and Catherine “was the one with the plans.”
Mary Elizabeth and Catherine shared many travels and much love and laughter. They shared a love of the outdoors, art, music, dance and many more activities. Above all, they both lived for family and caring for others. I am sure Mary Elizabeth will carry on this tradition.
During her years of study at St. Joseph Hospital and Creighton University, Catherine met and fell in love with David W. Connolly, a Creighton Law Student. The two fit like a hand in a glove and they were engaged to be married. Before this could happen, David was drafted for the Korean War. He was a young second lieutenant and killed in action in North Korea in 1952 at the age of 23 years. David was Catherine’s only love until the day she died.
Catherine still continued her education, completing her RN at St. Joseph Hospital and her BSN at Creighton University. It was clear that her passion lay in providing the best care to young families and teaching other professionals to do the same. So, it was off to the East Coast. She first completed an internship at the Boston Lying-In Hospital and then moved on to the University of Columbia in New York City where she earned her Master of Science in Midwifery and a certificate in Midwifery. Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore MD invited Catherine to be the educational director of their Midwifery Program. And while working for the Baltimore City Health Department, she implemented a broad program of improved maternity and family planning services for low-income, high risk mothers. After Baltimore, Catherine returned to Creighton University as faculty in both the College of Nursing and the Medical School and to conduct numerous workshops for nurses in rural practice in Nebraska and Iowa. In May of 1976, Catherine was awarded the Creighton University Alumni Merit Award for the College of Nursing. Before retiring, Catherine returned to clinical practice as Head Nurse in Labor and Delivery at St. Joseph Hospital, back to where it all began.
Catherine’s love for her God was strong and always reflected in her sharing of herself in her interactions with her family, friends, students. Catherine never really did retire. She became more active in her faith work and in her St. John’s community, CLC, a short stint as Sacristan, RCIA Director, member of the choir, lector, minister of Communion and reaching out and helping wherever she was needed.
This love and generosity of spirit continued even in her last days in the Renaissance Unit (memory unit) at Brighton Gardens, now Astoria Senior Living. She kept an eye out for the safety of her resident companions and assisted in whatever small tasks that she was able to manage. The staff hold a special place in their hearts for Catherine for her constant kindness and courtesy.
There will be a visitation and Vigil Service for Catherine at Braman Mortuary, the 72nd Street Chapel on Friday, June 2nd from 4 PM to 6 PM. Catherine’s funeral service will be held at St. John’s, Creighton University Campus June 3rd at 10 AM. The service will be live-streamed. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.
We would offer special thanks to the Renaissance Center Director, Gwen Henderson and her staff for their loving, gentle and kind care. Our gratitude goes also to Peaceful Hearts Hospice who provided grace-filled end of life care to Catherine to include physical, spiritual, emotional, and family support. Ryan Gray of Braman Mortuary is a gift to us and the funeral profession.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. John’s Catholic Church, the Renaissance Center at Astoria Senior Living or Peaceful Hearts Hospice, Elkhorn, NE.
VISITATION: Friday, June 2, 2023 from 4-6:00pm, with a NURSE HONOR GUARD PRESENTATION AT 4:50PM and a VIGIL SERVICE at 5:00pm, all at Braman Mortuary (72 St. Chapel)
FUNERAL MASS: Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:00am at St. John's Catholic Church at Creighton University (2500 California Plaza)
INTERMENT: Calvary Catholic Cemetery
Braman Mortuary - 72 St. Chapel
1702 N. 72 St.
Omaha, NE 68114
402-391-2171
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