Mary Corinne (Handbury) Brown

Mary Corinne (Handbury) Brown

February 2, 1926 – April 9, 2023

Private family services.

Memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church in Neola, Iowa.

Mary Corinne (Handbury) Brown entered into eternal life on April 9, 2023, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Corinne was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Cecil Handbury, sister Vera (Handbury) Summitt, brothers Joseph and John Handbury, and infant grandson Christopher.

Corinne is survived by her loving husband, Robert “Bob”; three sons: Dan (Debby), Rob (Linda), and Brad (Monica), all of Omaha, Nebraska; eight grandchildren: Chad (Cara), Josh, Joel (Mikalynn), Nancy (Jon), Stacey (Daniel), Dan (Amber), Nicole (Kevin), and Zach (Larissa), 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Corinne Handbury was born in Neola, Iowa, to Vincent (Ben) and Cecil Handbury on February 2, 1926. She was raised on their family farm and attended a one-room rural schoolhouse and Neola High School. Corinne later graduated with a Teaching Degree from Iowa State University. She taught English and Home Economics in Logan, Macedonia, and Neola high schools.

Corinne was married to Robert (Bob) Brown on December 22, 1946, and shortly after, moved with her new husband to McCook, NE, in pursuit of his career in the meat industry. Bob’s career required additional moves to Beatrice, Omaha, St. Joseph, MO, Denison, IA, and Kansas City, MO, where they retired and lived for 35 years. Corinne was always a member of her church’s Circles and was an Elder for her North KC Presbyterian Church, a member of PEO, North KC Garden, Finance, and Bridge Clubs. She and Bob returned to Omaha, NE, in 2019.

Corinne was an accomplished seamstress, cook, hostess, and gardener. She was a fun lady who welcomed the opportunity to try new activities, including scout den-mother, piano, crafts, painting, tennis, cross-country skiing and was content being with her three boys and husband as she endured countless fishing and camping trips over many decades. She was an avid KC Royals fan and enjoyed watching college basketball as she also played in high school. She loved to travel and had experienced Europe, Israel, Scandinavia, Russia, UK, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. She loved to go just about anywhere her family was going. If the car was leaving, she was going along.

Her family was blessed to gather every Thanksgiving and Christmas for dozens of years. Corinne (and Bob) served the best holiday dinners, and each Christmas dinner featured her traditional plum pudding dessert.

Corinne was a classy dresser who practiced proper etiquette, behavior, and English. She did her best to encourage her boys to do the same. She was a terrific homemaker and a loving Mom who blessed us each with countless loving gestures all our lives. Corinne was a special lady who sought to make the world a better place through service to her family and community.
God blessed Corinne with good health and vigor throughout her life, and it was only in her last years she required assistance from her devoted, loving husband of 76 years.