Mary L. Corbett

Mary Lynn(Shreffler) Corbett passed away peacefully in the company of family at Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper, Wyoming on July 24, 2026 less than three weeks before her 91st birthday. Mary Lynn (Shreffler) Corbett was born to Myrtle E. (Jarrard) Shreffler and Guy A. Shreffler on August 11, 1935 in Casper, Wyoming. Two years later, Mary Lynn was joined by a sister, Janice. Her childhood was rich with visits to and from aunts, uncles, and cousins from the Jarrard and Shreffler families. Mary Lynn attended Casper schools graduating from NCHS in 1953. Forensics with Miss Ferris and English with Miss Hill were two of her favorite classes from high school.

Mary Lynn went to Wellesley College where she reconnected with James Corbett, a fellow NCHS graduate and forensics team member who was attending Harvard College at the time. When Jim enlisted in the Army, Mary Lynn soon followed. Mary Lynn Corbett and James A. Corbett were married in 1955.

During the years of their marriage, Mary Lynn followed James to many different job locations beginning with Fort Bliss in Texas where daughter Laurie was born. Time living in a Forest Service cabin in Canelo, Arizona was the next stop. Son Geoffrey was born during one of the family’s stays in Casper with Mary Lynn’s parents. Mary Lynn even spent one summer with a newborn and a 3 year old living in a sheep wagon in the Big Horn Basin close to the Nowood River. While James was attending university in Seattle, Megan joined the family.

After Mary Lynn and James separated, Mary Lynn returned to school at the University of Wyoming receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in History and her teaching certificate. She then went on to teach 9th Grade Civics at Dean Morgan Junior High where she formed many lifelong friendships with teachers and students. Dana VanBurg, Ed Strube, and Terry Logue became close friends and together they taught a summer field science program for junior high students and pioneered the Field Science Loop Program.

In 1971, Mary Lynn returned to school, attending Denver University to obtain her Master’s Degree in Library Science. After receiving her degree, she returned to teaching for a brief period before going to work for the Natrona County Public Library as a reference librarian. At the library Mary Lynn again began friendships that endured until her final years. A group of friends from her time at the library (calling themselves the Library Lunch Bunch) had weekly lunches together for several years until her passing.

After leaving the library, Mary Lynn worked first as an archivist and then as an assistant news editor to the “Old Grouch” Tom Sutherland at the Casper Star Tribune before accepting a position as the Director of the Lincoln County Public Library System in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Mary Lynn flourished in Kemmerer. She was active with several churches, the senior center, Fossil Butte National Monument, the Greater Sage Grouse Working Group, Rotary Club, breeding bird surveys, the Wyoming Historical Society, and other groups. She often said, “If I had known how much I liked living in a small town, I would have moved here years ago.” From singing in the Methodist choir to having drinks at Rosie’s, Mary Lynn was an enthusiastic community member.

It was with great sadness and regret that Mary Lynn left Kemmerer in 2012 although she still maintained her subscriptions to the Kemmerer Gazette and the Kemmerer Senior Citizens Newsletter.

On returning to Casper, Mary Lynn immediately immersed herself in community life in Casper, Lunches were rotated between the main senior center and the Mills and Evansville branches to show her support. OLLI classes were a must with Tom Smythe’s classes a particular favorite. Mary Lynn enjoyed treks with the historical society, birding with Murie Audubon, volunteering for the Antiques and Collectors shows at the fairgrounds in addition to volunteering at Fort Caspar and reading with a library sponsored book club. She was passionate about politics and her support for the Democratic Issues Forum.

Mary Lynn (Shreffler) Corbett is survived by her daughter Laurie Longtine of Casper, her son Geoffrey Corbett (Penny) of Buffalo, her daughter Megan Schafer (Ken) of Casper, granddaughter Genoveva Mendoza Cutrell (Spencer) of Fairfax County, Virginia, and beloved great-grandchildren Gael and Hazel.

She was predeceased by her parents Myrtle and Guy Shreffler, her former husband James Corbett, and grandsons Jason Corbett and Jonathan Vantrease.

A celebration of life will be held at Bustard and Jacoby Funeral Home Friday, August 21, 2026 at 10 a.m. A reception will be held immediately afterwards.. Following the reception, the family will hold a brief graveside ceremony in Kaycee.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Fort Caspar, Natrona County Historical Society, Murie Audubon Society, Central Wyoming Senior Center, Central Wyoming Hospice, Democratic Issues Forum, Wyoming Public Media, Hoofprints of the Past Museum, Jim Gatchell Museum, or an organization of the donor’s choice.