Corrine was a wife, mother, teacher, missionary and professional writer. She deeply loved God, her family and secondary to these, her career. She spent her working years teaching English at the Fraser Valley Adventist Academy and later doing relief and development work in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. She used her rich life experiences and passion for writing to publish numerous books, stories and magazine articles. At the time of her passing she was writing a book on trust.
Corrine was especially passionate about improving the lives of women and children through empowerment and education. This motivated her to volunteer in several projects in support of women and children in Africa. She would be deeply honoured to have a memorial supporting service to those in need. The Girls in Need- Kenya program would be dear to her heart due to her own personal experiences. Corrine grew up in a poor family and lived in a remote location on the Grays River, Washington. Due to lack of schools in her area she was sent to boarding school at the age of 12. She was a tomboy and lacked the knowledge and resources in the area of personal grooming. During her time in boarding school, a fellow student took her under her wing and provided her with some basic grooming supplies. Corrine often spoke of how this small act of kindness changed the trajectory of her life in a positive way.
Corrine valued education and advocated for lifelong learning. In her retirement she completed her Masters of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in clinical pastoral counseling. She put her knowledge into practice by volunteering as a facilitator for Nedley Health Depression and Anxiety Recovery program. She recognized the burden of mental health struggles in our society and put her beliefs into action to support those who were suffering from depression and anxiety.
As Corrine grew in years and wisdom, she put into practice living God’s love. She strove to meet each person she encountered where they were in life and took the path of non-judgement, using the Jesus as her example. She put into practice gratitude and positive affirmations. One of her favourite sayings was “look forward to each day the with the joy of anticipation to see the good things God will do for you today”. She always said “no matter how difficult your life is or how bad your day is going; God has a gift for you. It just requires opening your eyes to see it”. Corrine experienced some deep personal tragedies and sorrow, but through these experiences she developed greater empathy, experienced tremendous personal growth and an un-abiding trust in God to sustain all those who lean on him.
Corrine loved her family and took special delight in her two grandsons and leaves those who knew her with many treasured memories. Corrine is survived by her siblings Wes, Marja, Cheryl and Greg Kandoll, her daughter Joann (Richard) Chabaylo, grandsons Matthew and Aaron, son Jon (Judy) Vanderwerff.
