Norfolk - Catherine deSales Corbett Jennings, died Thursday, October 19, 2017 at home in Midlothian, Virginia, surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Lt. Emmett "EK" Jennings, her parents, and four sisters. Catherine is survived by her four sons Emmett K. Jennings, Jr. and wife Aminta of Quinton, Va., Charles C. Jennings and wife Margaret of London, England, Mark P. Jennings of Norfolk, Va., and David J. Jennings and wife Cheri of Midlothian, Va. Also her six grandchildren Victoria Whatton and husband Rob, Virginia Brimson and husband Jason, Christina Jennings, Alexandra Jennings and fiancé Tony Krepper, Carie Hall and fiancé Jon Evans, and Coleman P. Jennings. Also three great-grandchildren Arya Hall, Hugo and Felix Whatton, a brother-in-law Robert C. Jennings of Wytheville, Va., and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Born in 1917 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of the late John Francis and Margarette Petersen Corbett, she was proud to be one of the first Navy WAVES to enlist and serve in World War II. Catherine, lovingly referred to as "Grammy," was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who was happiest when with her family.
One of First Navy WAVES Celebrates Century
Richmond, VA, August 19, 2017: Catherine deSales Corbett Jennings is turning 100 at her Richmond home. After a century of service and family, she fondly looks back at some of her experiences.
“One of my early memories was my mother taking us to the local auto repair in Clinton Hills, Brooklyn to use the phone. Not everyone had one, but the owner let us use it so I could talk to my grandmother.”
On December 7, 1941, Catherine was with her family visiting relatives in Philadelphia. Traveling home by train, she overheard people talking about Pearl Harbor, and arrived to a New York City in chaos. 23 years old, she had taken courses in first aid, and participated in “Bundles for Britain” programs, but being the daughter of a Navy man dissuaded her from joining the Army WACS Corp. An advertisement in the newspaper took her to the Third Naval District Office in New York, where she enlisted as one of the first women from NYC in the United States Naval Reserve. Better known under the acronym WAVES for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service and organized in July 1942, 27,000 WAVES were serving on active duty one year later.
Leaving her family, friends, and job at Metropolitan Life, she arrived at Boot Camp in Stillwater, Oklahoma on October 11, 1942. After training, drilling, and extensive classroom time, she was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, BuPers in Washington, D.C. During that assignment, she and another WAVE were assigned to the USS New Jersey for a month prior to the ship’s World War II commissioning on May 23, 1943. As one of the first two women assigned to a Navy battle ship she recalls, “I was so nervous that I would fall on my face while running up the gangplank in heels in response to the ‘man the ship’ command. “She returned to Washington, D.C. after this assignment and continued to work at BuPers and was promoted to Yeomen first class. She met and married Navy officer Emmett K. Jennings in March 1944. As the war was drawing to an end she transferred back to the Third Naval District Office in NYC in March 1945 so that she could be closer to her Brooklyn family. She left the Navy in August 1945, just days before the war ended.
After the war, she and her husband moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where they began to raise a family. They traveled to England in the early 1950’s while he was still active duty Navy. When the Korean War broke out they returned to Virginia while he served on the USS Iowa. They made their home in Norfolk, VA for the next 50 plus years.
Catherine always kept alive her career and record of public service. She taught kindergarten, sold Avon products, and worked with the altar guild at the Naval Amphibious Base Chapel for 35 years. She delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years (well into her 80’s), frequently bringing fresh, nutritious food to seniors younger than she was.
In 2007, after the death of her husband, Catherine moved to Richmond, Virginia, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. On the eve of her 100th birthday she will be celebrating with her 4 sons, 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 4 nephews, 5 nieces, 2 great nephews, 2 great nieces, 3 great-grandnephews, and 6 great-grandnieces.
A private graveside service was held on October 21, 2017 at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk, Va. Condolences to the family can be mailed to PO Box 29539, Henrico, VA 23242. Friends who may wish to memorialize her are invited to make a contribution to the United States Navy Memorial, PO Box 96570, Washington, DC 20090-6570 or www.navymemorial.org.
Born in 1917 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of the late John Francis and Margarette Petersen Corbett, she was proud to be one of the first Navy WAVES to enlist and serve in World War II. Catherine, lovingly referred to as "Grammy," was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who was happiest when with her family.
One of First Navy WAVES Celebrates Century
Richmond, VA, August 19, 2017: Catherine deSales Corbett Jennings is turning 100 at her Richmond home. After a century of service and family, she fondly looks back at some of her experiences.
“One of my early memories was my mother taking us to the local auto repair in Clinton Hills, Brooklyn to use the phone. Not everyone had one, but the owner let us use it so I could talk to my grandmother.”
On December 7, 1941, Catherine was with her family visiting relatives in Philadelphia. Traveling home by train, she overheard people talking about Pearl Harbor, and arrived to a New York City in chaos. 23 years old, she had taken courses in first aid, and participated in “Bundles for Britain” programs, but being the daughter of a Navy man dissuaded her from joining the Army WACS Corp. An advertisement in the newspaper took her to the Third Naval District Office in New York, where she enlisted as one of the first women from NYC in the United States Naval Reserve. Better known under the acronym WAVES for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service and organized in July 1942, 27,000 WAVES were serving on active duty one year later.
Leaving her family, friends, and job at Metropolitan Life, she arrived at Boot Camp in Stillwater, Oklahoma on October 11, 1942. After training, drilling, and extensive classroom time, she was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, BuPers in Washington, D.C. During that assignment, she and another WAVE were assigned to the USS New Jersey for a month prior to the ship’s World War II commissioning on May 23, 1943. As one of the first two women assigned to a Navy battle ship she recalls, “I was so nervous that I would fall on my face while running up the gangplank in heels in response to the ‘man the ship’ command. “She returned to Washington, D.C. after this assignment and continued to work at BuPers and was promoted to Yeomen first class. She met and married Navy officer Emmett K. Jennings in March 1944. As the war was drawing to an end she transferred back to the Third Naval District Office in NYC in March 1945 so that she could be closer to her Brooklyn family. She left the Navy in August 1945, just days before the war ended.
After the war, she and her husband moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where they began to raise a family. They traveled to England in the early 1950’s while he was still active duty Navy. When the Korean War broke out they returned to Virginia while he served on the USS Iowa. They made their home in Norfolk, VA for the next 50 plus years.
Catherine always kept alive her career and record of public service. She taught kindergarten, sold Avon products, and worked with the altar guild at the Naval Amphibious Base Chapel for 35 years. She delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years (well into her 80’s), frequently bringing fresh, nutritious food to seniors younger than she was.
In 2007, after the death of her husband, Catherine moved to Richmond, Virginia, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. On the eve of her 100th birthday she will be celebrating with her 4 sons, 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 4 nephews, 5 nieces, 2 great nephews, 2 great nieces, 3 great-grandnephews, and 6 great-grandnieces.
A private graveside service was held on October 21, 2017 at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk, Va. Condolences to the family can be mailed to PO Box 29539, Henrico, VA 23242. Friends who may wish to memorialize her are invited to make a contribution to the United States Navy Memorial, PO Box 96570, Washington, DC 20090-6570 or www.navymemorial.org.
Norfolk - Catherine deSales Corbett Jennings, died Thursday, October 19, 2017 at home in Midlothian, Virginia, surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Lt. Emmett "EK" Jennings, her parents, and four sisters. Catherine is survived by her four sons Emmett K. Jennings, Jr. and wife Aminta of Quinton, Va., Charles C. Jennings and wife Margaret of London, England, Mark P. Jennings of Norfolk, Va., and David J. Jennings and wife Cheri of Midlothian, Va. Also her six grandchildren Victoria Whatton and husband Rob, Virginia Brimson and husband Jason, Christina Jennings, Alexandra Jennings and fiancé Tony Krepper, Carie Hall and fiancé Jon Evans, and Coleman P. Jennings. Also three great-grandchildren Arya Hall, Hugo and Felix Whatton, a brother-in-law Robert C. Jennings of Wytheville, Va., and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Born in 1917 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of the late John Francis and Margarette Petersen Corbett, she was proud to be one of the first Navy WAVES to enlist and serve in World War II. Catherine, lovingly referred to as "Grammy," was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who was happiest when with her family.
One of First Navy WAVES Celebrates Century
Richmond, VA, August 19, 2017: Catherine deSales Corbett Jennings is turning 100 at her Richmond home. After a century of service and family, she fondly looks back at some of her experiences.
“One of my early memories was my mother taking us to the local auto repair in Clinton Hills, Brooklyn to use the phone. Not everyone had one, but the owner let us use it so I could talk to my grandmother.”
On December 7, 1941, Catherine was with her family visiting relatives in Philadelphia. Traveling home by train, she overheard people talking about Pearl Harbor, and arrived to a New York City in chaos. 23 years old, she had taken courses in first aid, and participated in “Bundles for Britain” programs, but being the daughter of a Navy man dissuaded her from joining the Army WACS Corp. An advertisement in the newspaper took her to the Third Naval District Office in New York, where she enlisted as one of the first women from NYC in the United States Naval Reserve. Better known under the acronym WAVES for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service and organized in July 1942, 27,000 WAVES were serving on active duty one year later.
Leaving her family, friends, and job at Metropolitan Life, she arrived at Boot Camp in Stillwater, Oklahoma on October 11, 1942. After training, drilling, and extensive classroom time, she was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, BuPers in Washington, D.C. During that assignment, she and another WAVE were assigned to the USS New Jersey for a month prior to the ship’s World War II commissioning on May 23, 1943. As one of the first two women assigned to a Navy battle ship she recalls, “I was so nervous that I would fall on my face while running up the gangplank in heels in response to the ‘man the ship’ command. “She returned to Washington, D.C. after this assignment and continued to work at BuPers and was promoted to Yeomen first class. She met and married Navy officer Emmett K. Jennings in March 1944. As the war was drawing to an end she transferred back to the Third Naval District Office in NYC in March 1945 so that she could be closer to her Brooklyn family. She left the Navy in August 1945, just days before the war ended.
After the war, she and her husband moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where they began to raise a family. They traveled to England in the early 1950’s while he was still active duty Navy. When the Korean War broke out they returned to Virginia while he served on the USS Iowa. They made their home in Norfolk, VA for the next 50 plus years.
Catherine always kept alive her career and record of public service. She taught kindergarten, sold Avon products, and worked with the altar guild at the Naval Amphibious Base Chapel for 35 years. She delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years (well into her 80’s), frequently bringing fresh, nutritious food to seniors younger than she was.
In 2007, after the death of her husband, Catherine moved to Richmond, Virginia, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. On the eve of her 100th birthday she will be celebrating with her 4 sons, 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 4 nephews, 5 nieces, 2 great nephews, 2 great nieces, 3 great-grandnephews, and 6 great-grandnieces.
A private graveside service was held on October 21, 2017 at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk, Va. Condolences to the family can be mailed to PO Box 29539, Henrico, VA 23242. Friends who may wish to memorialize her are invited to make a contribution to the United States Navy Memorial, PO Box 96570, Washington, DC 20090-6570 or www.navymemorial.org.
Born in 1917 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of the late John Francis and Margarette Petersen Corbett, she was proud to be one of the first Navy WAVES to enlist and serve in World War II. Catherine, lovingly referred to as "Grammy," was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who was happiest when with her family.
One of First Navy WAVES Celebrates Century
Richmond, VA, August 19, 2017: Catherine deSales Corbett Jennings is turning 100 at her Richmond home. After a century of service and family, she fondly looks back at some of her experiences.
“One of my early memories was my mother taking us to the local auto repair in Clinton Hills, Brooklyn to use the phone. Not everyone had one, but the owner let us use it so I could talk to my grandmother.”
On December 7, 1941, Catherine was with her family visiting relatives in Philadelphia. Traveling home by train, she overheard people talking about Pearl Harbor, and arrived to a New York City in chaos. 23 years old, she had taken courses in first aid, and participated in “Bundles for Britain” programs, but being the daughter of a Navy man dissuaded her from joining the Army WACS Corp. An advertisement in the newspaper took her to the Third Naval District Office in New York, where she enlisted as one of the first women from NYC in the United States Naval Reserve. Better known under the acronym WAVES for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service and organized in July 1942, 27,000 WAVES were serving on active duty one year later.
Leaving her family, friends, and job at Metropolitan Life, she arrived at Boot Camp in Stillwater, Oklahoma on October 11, 1942. After training, drilling, and extensive classroom time, she was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, BuPers in Washington, D.C. During that assignment, she and another WAVE were assigned to the USS New Jersey for a month prior to the ship’s World War II commissioning on May 23, 1943. As one of the first two women assigned to a Navy battle ship she recalls, “I was so nervous that I would fall on my face while running up the gangplank in heels in response to the ‘man the ship’ command. “She returned to Washington, D.C. after this assignment and continued to work at BuPers and was promoted to Yeomen first class. She met and married Navy officer Emmett K. Jennings in March 1944. As the war was drawing to an end she transferred back to the Third Naval District Office in NYC in March 1945 so that she could be closer to her Brooklyn family. She left the Navy in August 1945, just days before the war ended.
After the war, she and her husband moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where they began to raise a family. They traveled to England in the early 1950’s while he was still active duty Navy. When the Korean War broke out they returned to Virginia while he served on the USS Iowa. They made their home in Norfolk, VA for the next 50 plus years.
Catherine always kept alive her career and record of public service. She taught kindergarten, sold Avon products, and worked with the altar guild at the Naval Amphibious Base Chapel for 35 years. She delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years (well into her 80’s), frequently bringing fresh, nutritious food to seniors younger than she was.
In 2007, after the death of her husband, Catherine moved to Richmond, Virginia, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. On the eve of her 100th birthday she will be celebrating with her 4 sons, 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 4 nephews, 5 nieces, 2 great nephews, 2 great nieces, 3 great-grandnephews, and 6 great-grandnieces.
A private graveside service was held on October 21, 2017 at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk, Va. Condolences to the family can be mailed to PO Box 29539, Henrico, VA 23242. Friends who may wish to memorialize her are invited to make a contribution to the United States Navy Memorial, PO Box 96570, Washington, DC 20090-6570 or www.navymemorial.org.
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