Catherine Corbin-Emerick was president of Woman's Club of Downey

Catherine Corbin-Emerick passed away peacefully at her home on Balboa Island, California on May 20, 2015. Born on September 21, 1917 in Los Angeles to Charles W. Corkum and Annie B. Myers, she grew up in Downey and graduated from Downey Union High School, Class of 1935.

After attending Bethany College in West Virginia, Catherine returned home to work with her parents at the family business, The Downey Ice House. It was there that she met Ben D. Corbin, and they married on February 26, 1937. Catherine and Ben settled in Downey and adopted four children. A devoted mother, Catherine gave her children the best of care and an incredible childhood.

During her lifetime, she served as President of the Women’s Club of Downey and Foreman of the Los Angeles County Grand Jury, as well as being an Eastern Star for more than 50 years, and a charter member of the Soroptimists.

Eventually, Catherine and Ben took full charge of The Downey Ice House, working side-by-side for many years. After selling the company in 1963, they moved to Balboa Island where they built their retirement home and enjoyed many years of traveling with family and friends. After Ben passed away in 1999, Catherine married Lyle Emerick, a high school classmate. Lyle passed away in 2010. Catherine was blessed with a loving heart and a kind soul. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her four children, Roma Lee, Charles, Wayne and Penny; and is survived by five grandchildren, Mike Marsh (Sharon), Lisa Beeks (Reggie), Leslie Corbin, Cathy Wright (Rob) and Susan Corbin; as well as nine great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Iona Corbin; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

The family extends our heartfelt thanks to her caregivers, Efren Esteban and the Sea Crest Home Health Care Team.

Services were attended by family and friends at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.