Blanche Brendle Corn

BLANCHE BRENDLE CORN, formerly of Benson, died Sunday, February 9, 2003 at the Maryland Masonic Homes Bonnie Blink in Hunt Valley. She was 88.

Born in Haywood County, North Carolina on May 17, 1914, she was the daughter of Marle Berlin Brendle and Mary Ellen McClure Brendle.

Mrs. Corn attended schools in Ashville, North Carolina, working during WW II in Charlotte, North Carolina and then accompanying her new husband in 1946 on their move to Edgewood Arsenal, where he had begun to work in the defense effort. The Corns made their home on Harford Road in Benson in 1953 and she remained there until her move to the Masonic Home nearly three years ago.

In addition to her parents, her husband, Markus O. Corn, brothers Marle and Cline Brendle and sister Gertrude Massey predeceased her.

Mrs. Corn is survived by her son, Page W. Higgins, Jr. of Redlands, California; a daughter, Brenda C. Eckstein of Bel Air; her grandchildren, Page W. Higgins, III, Bren D. Higgins, and Andrea B. Belli, all of California; and Tiffany Eckstein Collins of Benson. She is also survived by her nephews, Thomas M. Brendle of Andover, Massachusetts; and James E. Massey of Bel Air. Her great granddaughters are Alexandra Marie and Brendle Caroline Rambo of Benson, and her great-grandsons are Ryan Garrett and Jared Thomas Higgins of San Carlos, California.

In the 1950’s, Mrs. Corn was a familiar businesswoman on Bel Air’s Main Street as the manager of the Lana Lobell dress shop. She enjoyed outfitting the women of the small town as well as her friendships with the local business people, one of whom was Charlie Lutz, the owner of the appliance store next door and her neighbor in Benson. Later, she joined long time friend Margaret Richardson, owner of Richardson’s Florist in Bel Air, and served as a salesperson there for many years.

Mrs. Corn’s lifetime was characterized by her selfless devotion to family, church, and community. She served as her son’s Cub Scout Den mother in Edgewood and for 12 years as Girl Scout Troop Leader at Mountain Christian Church and in several positions within the Girls Scouts of Central Maryland.

In Christian service, she was a sister in the Victory Chapter of the Eastern Star.

As a member of Mountain Christian Church since 1952, she was instrumental in the outreach efforts of the church’s foreign missions and the building fund for the growing church in Joppa. She also oversaw countless dinners at the church and taught morning Sunday School and vacation bible school. Mrs. Corn enjoyed her Wilna Homemakers Club and the local chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees with her husband Mark.

They enjoyed their mutual retirements by traveling about the United States over the years, towing their little camper trailer, visiting family and making new friends coast to coast.

A volunteer for more than 15 years at the Fallston General Hospital gift shop, Mrs. Corn served not only patients, families and visitors, but also went on to become president of the Volunteer Association and represent them on the FGH Board of Directors. Ever the economist, she bought green plants wholesale and potted the plant gardens in her basement to sell in the Fallston Hospital’s gift shop, further increasing the volunteer’s contributions to the hospital.

Honorary pallbearers were: Thomas Brendle, Ron Eckstein, James Massey, Page Higgins, III, Bren Higgins, and Randall Collins.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that if friends wish, memorials be offered to the Phoenix Fund of the Humane Society of Harford County, 2208 Connelly Road, Fallston, Maryland 21047; the Phoenix Fund provides veterinary medical aid to abandoned pets who would otherwise be euthanized. Mrs. Corn was also a proponent of Christian education: memorials may be sent to the Mountain Christian School, 1824 Mountain Road, Joppa, Maryland 21085.