Kelly Jo Corbin, 64

February 01, 2025

Kelly Jo Corbin, 64, of Lancaster, passed away at Hospice & Community Care on Saturday, February 1, 2025, after a brief but mighty fight against pancreatic cancer.

Born in Lafayette, IN, she was the daughter of the late Richard W. and Mariolis (Miller) Traeger. She was the loving wife of Mark E. Corbin.

Kelly graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Restaurant Hotel and Institutional Management with a minor in Early Childhood Education. Upon graduating, she worked as a nursing home dietary manager until she married and joined the military wives club as the wife of a U.S. Army officer. Over the course of their 42 years together, Kelly and her husband lived in over a dozen different locations, but no matter where they resided, Kelly always made it a home filled with love.

Kelly’s professional career was really split into two areas, starting with childcare, where she eventually became a Regional Vice President with Magic Learning Corp. After her children all started public school, Kelly began her second career as a real estate agent, helping many find not a house, but their forever home. Over the past 20 years of her life, Kelly was one of the top real estate agents in Lancaster County, continually being in the top 1% of all agents annually. She was blessed to end her career and life having worked for Jerry and Kyle Horst (Horst & Son), whom she valued and greatly appreciated for their support, partnership, and friendship.

Kelly was a lifelong United Methodist member and attended LCBC Lancaster City for the past several years. When her children were in elementary, middle, and high school, Kelly served on many different committees and boards, freely giving her time and energy. As a realtor, Kelly was a member of the local, state, and national realtor associations.

Kelly was a people magnet – people just had a way of migrating to Kelly, who within minutes would have total strangers sharing their life stories – and Kelly would just smile and listen; she was so easy to talk to and be around. Kelly had an exceptional memory – she might not have spoken with or seen someone for years, but when they bumped into one another, she immediately recalled details about them as if it were yesterday. Not only did she adore people, but she also was a fixer. No matter the problem, big or small, even if she couldn’t fix it, she made you feel important and that you mattered. She was one of those rare people who was truly lovely on the inside, not just the outside, and she had a gift for just being there and making you feel like you mattered.

She could immediately put people at ease, whether it was a light moment or a high degree of difficulty. That affinity served her well as she raised four tremendous children and four fabulous grandsons and developed strong bonds with hundreds of people throughout her life. Whether childcare, real estate, or, most importantly, her family, it wasn’t about Kelly’s job title or prestige; it was all about the relationships she built with people. Kelly was a fantastic person, mother, grandmother, wife and friend. She was a smile to all who met her, and she could brighten your day just by being with her.

Kelly took great pride in her family and cherished each moment together, from lively dinner conversations to quiet evenings by the fireplace. As the backbone and glue of the Corbin household, she organized family gatherings, ensured that everyone felt heard and valued, and navigated the complexities of everyone’s lives with grace. Her unwavering support and boundless love created a warm, nurturing home where everyone felt they truly belonged.

In addition to her husband, Mark, with whom she spent 42 short years, Kelly is survived by four children: Alexandria Hardy (Corbin). Zachary, Connor, and Bailey Amspacher (Corbin); and four grandchildren: Cohen Hardy, Micah Hardy, William Corbin, and Anthony Corbin. She is survived by her brother, Richard Traeger (wife Carol Traeger), sisters Sarah Neal (husband Jack Neal), Cathy Trimble (husband Steve Trimble), and Kim Kurtz (husband Keith Kurtz), and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Terry Traeger.

Kelly was a fantastic wife, an outstanding mother, and an amazing grandmother who never hesitated to show kindness to anyone she encountered and selflessly gave in any way she could. While she may have passed from this world, she is embedded in the fabric of all who knew her. She embodied the principles of strength, grace, and resiliency that she imparted to her family, which they cherish and will carry with them.

She will be sorely missed but never forgotten. From her blessed family, we love and miss you!

A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Kelly on February 22 with visitation from 3PM to 4PM, followed by Services at 4PM at LCBC Lancaster campus, 313 W. Liberty St., Lancaster, PA 17603 (childcare provided). In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged for A Week Away Foundation.

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