Rita M. Corbin Burns

Rita M. Corbin Burns, age 60, died Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at her home in Hamilton, Ohio. She was born October 11, 1952, the daughter of William and Margaret Hiatt Corbin. She was a 1970 graduate of Talawanda High School. She received her Bachelors Degree in Home Economics from Miami University in 1975 and her Masters in Administration from Florida Atlantic University in 1989. Rita began her teaching career at Franklin High School in Ohio. After moving to Florida in 1978, she taught Home Economics and became a Home Economics Supervisor in the Broward County School District. In 1987 she was named Home Economics Teacher of the Year in the State of Florida. At the onset of breast cancer in 2002, she was Assistant Principal at Cooper City High School where she was serving an internship to receive her Principal Licensure. During her career she was a very active member in the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. After returning to Hamilton in 2009, she began attending McGonigle Methodist Church, the church she attended while growing up. Rita never met a stranger and kept in touch with past colleagues, former students and friends everywhere. Her strength and positive attitude throughout her illness impressed everyone she met. Upon her return to Hamilton, Rita was able to reunite with her family and many friends in the area. Their support in her final days was a comfort to her. Rita is survived by one brother, Doug (Jana) Corbin of Fort Wayne, Indiana; her nieces, Kami (Scott) Schroeder and their children Brelyn and Avery of Roswell, Georgia, Kati (Kevin) France and their children Kylie and Kason of Monclova, Ohio, and Kelsey Corbin (Ali Prichard) of Dunwoody, Georgia; her former husband of 30 years, John Burns of Pompano Beach, Florida; step-daughter, Melissa (Craig) Stephenson and their children Kyle Kovacs and Rileigh Stephenson of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Rita leaves her very devoted significant other, Bob Lake of Hamilton, his son Samuel (Calandra) Lake and their daughter Naia of Williamsburg, Virginia. Willeigh and Sammie, her four-legged companions, also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, William “Peewee” Corbin. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 11, 2013 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. with the funeral to follow at Weigel Funeral Home, 980 N.W. Washington Blvd., Hamilton, Ohio. An additional service will be held at Kraaer Funeral Home in Pompano, Florida. The family would like to thank Dr. Paula Weisenberger and staff as well as Hospice of Hamilton and all the other friends and family who supported and cared for her during her illness! Memorials to Susan G. Komen Foundation,522 Cincinnati Mills Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240, Hospice of Hamilton, 1010 Eaton Ave, Hamilton, Ohio 45013 and NWCAVE (National Women’s Coalition Against Violence & Exploitation), P.O. Box 872494, Vancouver, WA 98687.

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Rita M. Corbin Burns

August 7, 2013