Issue:
December 2024 | Obituary
Smart, charming, intelligent, principled and, plucky – in short, a truly remarkable woman. That was Mary Corbett as I remember her, as a colleague, fellow FCCJ Board member and friend. She will be badly – and sadly – missed
Mary was in some ways of another era. She had something of the 1920s about her in the way she dressed and deported herself with a mixture of smart chic and almost coquettish charm.
I never saw Mary get angry, but she could put down anyone who was stepping out of line or behaving badly. She was kind and tolerant but did not suffer fools gladly.
If the club had taken to heart more of her advice or constructive criticisms it would be in a better place than it is today.
Her dedication to the FCCJ, as with her commitment to other institutions, causes and tasks, was exemplary. She would wear herself down rather than give up. It was a quality that she shared with other FCCJ “greats”.
Mary’s smile – kind and almost girlish in its charm – will live on even now that she has departed for another place. That place will be the better for Mary’s presence and we will be the poorer for her loss.
God bless and keep you, Mary.
Anthony Rowley is a columnist and contributor for the South China Morning Post.
