Angela Corryn

Nothing in this world meant more to Angela Corryn than family. She was a hard worker and she knew how to have fun, but her family always came first. The life of the party and honest to a fault, you always knew exactly where you stood with Angela. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Angela will be dearly missed.

Following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. officially entered into WWII in December 1941. With all the turmoil in the world, Americans sought some sense of normalcy in their lives. Movies like Citizen Kane and Dumbo drew families to theaters. Drive-in fast food restaurants as well as drive-in movie theaters grew in popularity. For Kenneth and Lydia (Wetzler) Geddes, 1941 held great promise as they welcomed their third daughter, Angela, into their home in Ellendale, North Dakota. Born on October 11, she joined her sisters Shirleen and Carma. Her sister Charlotte would complete the family several years later. Angela’s father worked as a road builder to support the family and her mother ran the household. With four girls in the family, there was rarely a quiet moment in the Geddes home. There was usually some good-natured competition involved like when Angela’s older sister would test her bed-making skills by dropping a dime on Angela’s bed to make sure the sheets were tight! There was never a shortage of playmates in the Geddes house.

Growing up, Angela lived in various towns throughout the Dakotas. She attended a Catholic boarding school in Sioux City, Iowa before moving to Michigan during her high school years.

In 1960, Angela’s life took a new turn when she married Gilbert Gay. Though their marriage would eventually end in divorce, Angela and Gilbert were blessed with three wonderful children; Jackie, Connie, and Bryan. As a family, they enjoyed spending time outdoors. Angela was a very involved parent – if her kids were there, she was there too! She was involved in their school through the PTA as well as working in the school lunchroom. She was also active in many of their extracurricular activities, even serving as a Girl Scout leader. Angela was a wonderful influence on her kids and she encouraged them in everything they did.

When her kids got older, Angela decided it was time to earn her GED. In 1979, twenty years after she would have graduated from high school, Angela attained her GED through Comstock High School. Soon after, she found a job at Parker Hannifin working the assembly line and quality control. They had just completed construction of their brand new facility and Angela felt fortunate it was only a few miles from home.

Life would change again for Angela when she met and married her second husband, Jim Corryn, in 1996. Angela and Jim were a part of many family events. He was a wonder step-father and step-grandfather to Angela’s family. Together, they attended many family cookouts and they never missed an event in her grandkids’ lives. She made certain each of them felt special, doting on them with her truest affection.

Jim and Angela shared a passion for car shows. Together, they purchased a ’56 Ford Victoria. They loved visiting the Gilmore Car Museum as well as participating in car shows where they’d spend the day chatting with fellow car enthusiasts. Sharing a meal with friends or watching a game together were regular events on Angela’s calendar. She was a die-hard Notre Dame fan, much to the chagrin of her family members who were U of M fans! Angela always looked forward to her breakfasts out at Parkview Café or a relaxing lunch at The Dock at Bayview.

In her spare time, Angela collected porcelain dolls. Her collection was vast and varied. It even included several “creepy” dolls. She took pride in her collection, keeping the original box for each doll.

Every fall, Jim and Angie would travel up to Leeland to visit the area where they were married. They spent much of their time visiting casinos, playing the slot machines or pull tabs and seeing shows. The family had grown accustomed to patiently waiting for the couple to return from the casino every Thanksgiving so they could enjoy their holiday dinner!

Life with Angela was never boring! She provided steadfast encouragement, laughter, and advice. Not one to mince her words, her catch phrase was, “You can wish in one hand and shit in the other.” People were naturally drawn to her fun-loving personality and her openness. Her zest for life and unwavering love will live on in the hearts of the family she treasured.

Angela Corryn, age 78, died on September 22, 2020. Angela was preceded in death by her first husband, Gilbert Gay; her second husband, James Corryn; and her sisters: Shirleen Bird, Carma Renmoe, and Charlotte Geddes. Surviving are her children: Jackie (Jeff) Burghdoff, Connie (Rob) Obbink, and Bryan Gay; grandchildren: Adam, Jamie, Kelsie, Ryan, Isabel, Cassie, Caleb, David, Nick, and Savannah; great-grandchildren: Claire, Reed, Jace, Gracelynn, Amere, Oliver, Scarlett, and Braydon; many nieces and nephews; and her former daughter-in-law, Debbie, who held a special place in her heart.

Cremation has taken place. No services will be held at this time. Visit Angela’s personal webpage at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com where you may read her Life Story, archive a favorite memory or photo, and sign her online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Life Care Center of Plainwell. Arrangements by Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900.