Page 4 - Ruth Mazyck Corbett Virtual Memorial

The Obituary of Ruth Mazyck Corbett

Ruth Mazyck Corbett was born on November 12, 1943 in the rural town of Cross, SC. Ruth Mazyck
Corbett, is affectionately known as “Ruthie” or “Nana Ruth” or “Mama Corbett” or “Deacon Corbett” by
so many people whose lives she touched. Her daughter unofficially dubbed her “The real Mayor of
Brooklyn”. She was known and loved by many because she never seemed to meet a stranger. Ruth
Mazyck Corbett was the youngest of four siblings. Her father Aaron Mazyck was a preacher who
pastored Emmanuel Reformed Episcopal Church in Cross. Her mother Eugenia Mazyck was a
homemaker. She fondly recalled memories of growing up on the farm, being a tomboy, climbing trees
and playing with her older sister Hattie as well as cousins who lived nearby. Ruth and Hattie were very
active “PK”s who were a little on the mischievous side from time to time. She was also a bookworm and
an avid reader, excelling in academic studies throughout high school in the Berkley County school
system.

Ruth’s life was not without hardship or tragedy growing up in the south. As a young teenager, aged 14
she lost her father tragically in a drowning accident. “I followed my Daddy everywhere. I was his
shadow,” she would say when she spoke of him. Although she suffered this tragic loss she continued to
excel in her studies in high school. She was a straight “A” student and actively involved in many clubs.
Ruth Mazyck graduated from Berkley High School as valedictorian for the Class of 1961. When her older
siblings moved north, Ruth soon followed shortly after she graduated from high school. She eventually
settled in Brooklyn, New York with her sisters and began working. She attended Bronx Community
College briefly but was unable to finish. Ruth was working at Mutual Consolidated Insurance, when her
co-worker and best friend Patricia Cole dared her to ask a co-worker out on a date. The year was 1965
and the young man she asked out was Ulysses Leroy Corbett Jr.

Ruth Mazyck and Ulysses L. Corbett Jr. were married at the church she attended, First Reformed
Episcopal Church in Manhattan on July 2, 1966. They moved to the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn
and soon thereafter gave birth to their first daughter, Charlene Miranda Corbett. A few years later
around 1970, Ruth began working at the United Nations Association as an administrative assistant. She
continued working there until she resigned in 1990. In 1975, Ruth and Ulysses gave birth their second
daughter, Natasha Elaine Corbett.
Ruth Mazyck Corbett later worked as an administrative assistant for NCR Comten, the Corporation for
Supportive Housing, and in 2008 she retired from her position as executive assistant to the
COO/Treasurer at the Josiah Macy Foundation. Ruth Corbett was a hard worker and highly esteemed by
her employers and co-workers. She was always there to go above and beyond, lend a hand, be a
shoulder to cry. She never hesitated to share the love of Christ wherever she went.
Ruth Mazyck Corbett was always an active member at the churches she attended. She was a tenacious
and faithful laborer for the Lord. When she moved to New York, she attended First Reformed Episcopal
Church in Manhattan and served faithfully for many years. There she taught Sunday School and served
on the Vestry Board. In 1981, she and her family became members of Emmanuel Baptist Church in the
Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn where she remained until her passing. Ruth Mazyck Corbett was truly a
servant of the Lord. She led Sunday school and bible studies. Volunteered wherever there was a need