Corinne Marie Brewer, of Riverdale, formerly of Wayne and Pompton Lakes, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 82.

Born in New York, NY, Corinne was the daughter of Arthur and Helen Kehoe. She grew up in Flushing, Queens, alongside her sister Jacqueline, excelling as a student. Her dedication to learning earned her a full scholarship to any city college, and she ultimately pursued a degree in education at St. John's University.

During her time at St. John's, Corinne was set up on a blind date with George Brewer. Their connection was immediate, and after graduating, they married on August 8, 1964. Corinne began her career as a teacher but chose to step away from the classroom to devote herself to raising her children.

In 1969, George enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving for a decade while their family grew. Military life took them across the country, from Texas to New Jersey, California, and Delaware, before they settled in Pompton Lakes, NJ, in 1979.

While living in Delaware and raising four children, Corinne returned to school to pursue a nursing degree at Wesley College in Dover. After moving back to New Jersey, she joined Chilton Memorial Hospital, where she served as a pediatric nurse until her retirement in 2007.

Corinne’s compassion extended beyond her professional life. While caring for a patient, she learned about Healing the Children NJ, an organization that arranges medical care in the U.S. for children from other countries. Deeply moved by the cause, she and George became foster parents, welcoming 17 children into their home over 25 years.

In 1992, they met a shy, serious two-year-old named Ana, initially fostering her through the program. However, Ana quickly became a permanent part of their family when Corinne and George lovingly adopted her as their sixth child.

Corinne will be remembered for her unwavering kindness, boundless patience, and deep devotion to her family. She often (jokingly) shared her favorite saying:

"Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can,

Seldom found in woman, never found in man."

Her patience made her a remarkable nurse, an extraordinary mother, and a beloved friend to many. She will be dearly missed.

Corinne is survived by her children: George Brewer and his wife Bridget, Andrew Brewer and his wife Patricia, Christine Burt and her husband Bill, Corinne Friske and her husband Jason, and Ana Segovia Gazul and her husband Eleazar; her daughter-in-law, Claudia Brewer; and her cherished grandchildren: Emily Brewer, Aidan Brewer, Aaron Burt, Hayden Burt, Ethan Burt, Henry Brewer, Audrey Brewer, Madeleine Friske, Darwin Friske, and Cashel Friske.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, George, her son, Sean, and her sister, Jacqueline Powers.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at Scanlan’s: Where Life is Celebrated. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at St Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, in celebration of both Corinne and her late husband, George, who passed away in April 2020.

A graveside service will follow at Our Lady of Magnificat Cemetery in Kinnelon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Corinne’s memory to Healing the Children NJ would be greatly appreciated by her family.