The Oregonian (Portland, OR)
February 23, 1978 pg. 21

Cultural, civic, social leader Gretchen Corbett dies at 91

Gretchen Corbett, a major force behind cultural achievements in Portland and a link with the city's early days, died Wednesday in a local hospital. She was 91.

Mrs. Corbett, who came to Portland as the bride of Henry Ladd Corbett Sr. in 1908, was an organizer of the Oregon Symphony, served a quarter-century on its board as well as on the board of the Portland Art Museum, founded the Junior League, and received many honors from Portland-area colleges and civic organizations.

She lived in her home at 12300 S.W. Tryon Hill Road for more than 60 years.

She was born Gretchen Hoyt on Oct. 16, 1886 in New York City. The Hoyt family was noted for its intellectual and cultural interests.

After studying music and singing, and being involved in social work, she married Corbett and moved to Portland.

She became one of three persons on a board asked to reorganize the city's symphony, and a half-century later still was involved in raising funds for the Oregon Symphony.

She was named honorary president of the Women's Association to the Symphony when it was formed in 1962.

She founded the Junior League of Portland, the fourth in the country, after belonging to the original league in New York City.

In 1965, she received a citation from the Portland Arts Commission for her work in the arts, and in 1969 received the Edith Knight Hill Award, presented by Theta Sigma Phi to person making an outstanding contribution to Oregon.

In 1976, Mrs. Corbett was named recipient of the Portland State University Distinguished Service award. It cited her range of work, from being a nurse's aide for six years during World War II to her achievements in the arts.

That same year, Reed College conferred on her a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree. She was commended for her cultural activities as well as for her "personal qualities of sacrifice and moral courage."

In addition to her work with the art museum and the symphony, Mrs. Corbett played a role in the development of the Civic Theatre and the Portland Opera Association.
Mrs. Corbett liked to talk about her eight years on the state Child Welfare Commission at a time when standards of care for the poor and children were lacking.

She recalled working in the 1920's to establish foster homes and upgrade institutions "at a time when people weren't acquainted with the ideals of social service work."

Her husband, who died in 1957, had been a state senator, president of the Senate and twice acting governor. He also had been a president of the Chamber of Commerce and a long-time member of the Port of Portland commission.

He had been a director of the First National Bank of Oregon, founded by his grandfather, Henry W. Corbett, who moved to Oregon from Vermont and became a U.S. senator from Oregon.

Henry Corbett Sr.'s mother was the daughter of William S. Ladd, another early Portlander of note and founder of the Ladd & Tilton bank, which later joined First National.

Mrs. Corbett is survived by two daughters, Helen Corbett, New York City; and Rosina Morgan, Portland; two sons, Henry L. Jr., Portland; and Alfred H., Tumalo; a sister, Elizabeth Philbin, New York City; two brothers, Alfred Hoyt, Princeton, N.J., and Henry R. Hoyt, Santa Fe, N.M.; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is pending. Finley's Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Private interment will be in Riverview Abbey Mausoleum.

The family suggest remembrances be contributions to a new special instrument fund of the Oregon Symphony.



The Oregonian (Portland, OR)
February 25, 1978 pg. 33

Gretchen Corbett

Memorial service for Gretchen Hoyt Corbett will be at noon Tuesday in Christ Episcopal Church, Lake Oswego.

Mrs. Corbett, widow of Henry Ladd Corbett, died Wednesday at age 91. She was active for years in social and cultural activities, spear-heading organization of the Oregon Symphony, Portland Art Museum and Junior League.

The family suggests remembrances be contributions to the new special instrument fund of the Oregon Symphony.