Irene Corbett

Who was Mrs Irene Corbett?

Mrs Irene Corbett was a 30-year-old American woman who perished aboard the Titanic in 1912. A pioneering Mormon midwifery student from Utah, she was one of the few second-class female passengers who did not survive the sinking. Her tragic story embodies the spirit of early 20th century women pushing boundaries in pursuit of education and career advancement.

Early Life and Family

Born Irene Colvin on August 6, 1881, in Payson, Utah, she came from a prominent Mormon family deeply rooted in the local community. Her father, Levi Alexander Colvin (1857-1928), wore many hats:

• Farmer
• County official
• Trustee of Payson school district
• Bishop in the Church of Latter Day Saints

Her mother, Mary Alice Curtis (1858-1940), came from English, Canadian, and American heritage. Irene grew up in a large family, with:

• Three sisters: Kady, Nellie, and Hattie Lucile
• Two brothers: Curtis and Tracy Sherman

This close-knit family environment likely shaped Irene’s strong values and ambitions.

Education and Early Career

Irene’s pursuit of knowledge began early:

• Alumna of Provo Academy
• Graduated with a teaching certificate
• Taught at Peteetneet Academy, an elementary school

Her dedication to education foreshadowed her later decision to further her studies abroad, even in the face of opposition.

Marriage and Motherhood

On December 11, 1905, Irene married Walter Harris Corbett, a farmer born on October 28, 1883. Together, they had three children:

1. Walter Colvin (born December 16, 1906)
2. Kady Roene (born November 5, 1908)
3. Mack Colvin (born December 27, 1910)

The 1910 census shows the family living in Pleasant View, Utah, seemingly settled into domestic life. However, Irene’s ambitions extended beyond the traditional roles expected of women in her community.

A Bold Decision: Studying Midwifery in London

In the winter of 1911, Irene made a decision that would ultimately lead to her fateful journey on the Titanic. She planned to travel to London to study midwifery at the General Lying-In Hospital, a pioneering maternity infirmary. This choice was remarkable for several reasons:

• It went against her husband’s wishes
• Her husband’s family, also members of the Church of Latter Day Saints, opposed her plans
• It demonstrated her support for women’s suffrage and desire for professional advancement
• It required leaving her three young children in the care of her parents

Despite the opposition, Irene’s own family gave their blessing, supporting her ambition to further her education and career.

The Titanic Journey

Irene’s fateful connection to the Titanic began with a letter to her parents on April 15, 1912. In it, she mentioned her plans to sail on the famous ship, along with several Mormon elders. However, fate had other plans:

• The other Mormon passengers did not end up traveling on the Titanic
• Irene boarded alone in Southampton as a second-class passenger
• Her ticket (number 237249) cost £13

What happened to Irene on the night of the sinking?

Tragically, Irene Corbett was one of fourteen ladies traveling in second class who did not survive the disaster. The exact circumstances of her final moments remain unknown, as her body was never recovered. This lack of information has led to much speculation about why she wasn’t able to secure a place on a lifeboat, given the “women and children first” policy.

The Aftermath

The days following the Titanic’s sinking were filled with confusion and heartbreak for the Corbett and Colvin families:

1. Bishop Colvin telegraphed New York seeking information about his daughter
2. He received two conflicting telegrams on April 19:
   • The first stated Irene’s name did not appear on the passenger list
   • The second confirmed she had sailed but was not among the survivors on the Carpathia

This cruel rollercoaster of hope and despair exemplifies the chaos and miscommunication that followed the disaster.

Legacy and Family’s Future

Irene’s tragic death left a lasting impact on her family:

• Her widower, Walter Harris Corbett, remarried in 1914 but died in a mining accident in 1917
• Her children were raised by their grandparents:
  • Mack and Kady lived with their maternal grandparents in Salt Lake City
  • Walter lived with his paternal grandparents in Pleasant View, Utah

Despite the tragedy, Irene’s children went on to have families of their own:

• Walter Colvin married Annie MacKay in 1933 and had at least one son
• Kady Roene married Paul Ward and passed away in Nevada in 1973
• Mack Colvin married Grace Lora Perschon in 1932 and raised a family before his death in 1976

Remembering Irene Corbett

Today, Irene Corbett is commemorated in a memorial at Peteetneet Academy, where she once taught. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the individual tragedies that made up the larger Titanic disaster. A devoted mother, aspiring midwife, and pioneer in women’s education, Irene’s life, though cut short, continues to inspire over a century later.