Corinne Ann Telford

Corinne (Cookie) Telford, 72, a lifetime Wenatchee resident, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2008 from an extended battle with breast cancer. Corinne passed away in the comfort of her home and in the arms of her family. She was born September 18, 1936 in Wenatchee to Dr. Norman M. & Lillian (Lux) Bellas and graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1954 where she was actively involved as a thespian and choir member. Childhood hobbies included the theatre, playing the piano and the ukulele. She continued her education at Whitman College in Walla Walla where she pledged the sorority of Kappa Kappa Gamma and developed close friendships lasting her entire life. This last May, she was thrilled to have been able to attend her 50-year class reunion. Corinne graduated with a BA degree in Speech and Drama in 1958 and was named Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. Continuing on with her education, she received her Masters Degree in Radio and Television from Syracuse University, NY. Before returning to Wenatchee, Corinne worked for a television station in Tacoma; writing, doing commercials, running camera and getting her third class radio operator's license. She also worked as a film librarian at KING TV. On New Year's Eve, 1963, Corinne accepted a blind date with her future sweetheart, James Telford, where they danced the night away and were married eight months later on August 29, 1964. Corinne and Jim raised their children, Teri and Scott, in Wenatchee, always involved in and supporting their many activities. Corinne co-owned and operated Telford's Chapel of the Valley from 1969-1995 with her husband Jim where she worked as office manager and bookkeeper. When they purchased and re-modeled the building on Grant Road, Corinne was responsible for the design and lighting at the front of the Chapel. Corinne was quoted as saying "We went through a lot of years where we got by on faith alone," but she and Jim persevered and the business grew to success through the integrity and devotion they gave to their funeral home, families and the community. They sold the business and retired in 1995. Upon retirement Corinne and Jim were lucky enough to travel extensively. Their travels took them to Europe, British Isles, Russia, China, Japan, Panama Canal, Thailand, Tahiti, Mexico, Canada and various destinations in the U.S. But as wonderful as all these trips were, their two favorite places were always with their grandchildren and at their cabin at Lake Chelan. She greatly enjoyed every dance, music or drama performance by her grandchildren and traveled to the Seattle area often supporting them in their activities. Corinne had grown up spending summers at Lake Chelan with her family and the cabin became her and Jim's second home in the summer months; a place to enjoy nature, read a book and share their special place with family and friends. Corinne's passion during her entire life was theatre. Whether she was lighting up the stage for a performance, helping to design lighting systems for others or attending the theatre she enjoyed every moment. For many years she was Wenatchee's "lady behind the lights" lighting up Music Theatre, high school or other community productions and bringing a new technical expertise to theatre in the valley. It was written in the Wenatchee World, "Her canvas is darkness and her paint light". As an artist she enjoyed setting the mood with shadow, color and light and was quoted as "playing the lighting board like a piano keyboard". Over the years Corinne was very active in the community, particularly the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival and the Wenatchee Applarians. She began her association with the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival at the tender age of four when she was chosen as the Apple Blossom Royalty flower girl. Then in 1954 she was crowned as an Apple Blossom Princess, serving with Queen Carol Jessup and Princess Beverly Shadbolt. Corinne remained involved in Royalty events throughout her lifetime and in 1983 she and Jim helped sponsor and establish the Royalty Pizza Party to honor the Royalty, their families and the Festival Board. This past year was the 25-year anniversary of this fun filled event which Corinne attended each year and was very proud to have co-founded. She was honored to serve by Jim's side during his terms as Director General in 1983 and Applarian Chancellor from 1989-90. The friendships formed and good times shared during their involvement with the Festival were some of her most cherished. Her involvement in other community organizations were numerous and included Community Concert Association Board, Junior Wenatchee Hospital Guild, Women of Rotary, Lady Actives of Active 20/30 Club and the Humane Society Board. She received numerous awards including: 1970 Outstanding Young Women of America, 1973 Outstanding Leadership in Music Theatre, 1982 Allied Arts Community Service Award, 1994 Lehman Johnson Award (with Jim), 2005 Special Recognition Award from The Applarians/Washington State Apple Blossom Festival/Pepsi-Cola/Weinstein Beverage, and the 2006 Applarian Outstanding Member Award (with Jim). Corinne was also a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where her grandparents Charles and Ethel (Edler) Lux were founding members. Corinne's family includes her devoted and loving husband Jim; daughter Teri Katzer of Renton with husband Rick and daughters Jaime and Kelli; son Scott Telford of Mill Creek and sons Joshua and Dasan; brother Norman Bellas of Seattle and daughter Lisa Glackin of Astoria, OR with husband Keith and son Sean; sisters-in-law Hazel Hawken, Marilyn Crollard, Marlys Parsons, Delta (Ken) Wood, and Judi Telford all of East Wenatchee and brother-in-law Ernest "Bud" Telford of Puyallup. She was preceded in death by her parents. Corinne will forever "light up our lives" with her bright smile and the courage and strength she showed during her struggle with cancer. She was our "Energizer Bunny". A celebration of Corinne's life will be held Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at 1:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, 941 Washington St., Wenatchee. A private interment will be held at the Wenatchee Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to Our House Cancer Care, St. Paul's Lutheran Church School Scholarship Fund, Apple Blossom Festival Scholarship Fund, Central Washington Hospital ?" Hospice Care, Music Theatre of Wenatchee or a special charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Corinne Ann Telford

September 18, 1936 - December 31, 2008