Corlyss M. Oates

OATES, CORLYSS M.
Age 71, of Arroyo Grande passed away on March 8, 2003 at her home with her loving family at her bedside. She fought a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer over the past 18 months. She was tenderly cared for with the help of Hospice SLO during the final weeks. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, David. Corlyss is survived by her loving and caring husband Guy; son, Tim; stepchildren Renee and Ron; grandsons C.R. Macchi, Jr. and Michael Sampino, their wives Martina and Gabriela; and great-grandchildren Zachary, Seth, Bethany, Mariana, and Giovanni. Corlyss was born on May 25, 1931 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. She was raised and attended school in California, graduating from McClatchy High School in Sacramento. She subsequently attended college in Fullerton, CA. Upon returning to Sacramento she began working for the State of California, where she advanced to senior positions with the California Highway Patrol Headquarters; State University-Sacramento; Post-secondary Education Commission; and Cal-Poly State University-SLO. She retired after 28 years of dedicated service. Corlyss and Guy moved to their cherished home site in Pismo Beach in 1977 and have resided in the area since that time. During their retirement they travelled extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad. Her favorite destination was Kauai. Corlyss was an avid golfer and a superb competitor. Locally she played at La Sage and Black Lake courses and had 3 "holes-in-one." Her many other interests included gourmet cooking, reading and tending to her flower garden. She was always a loving and caring wife, mother, homemaker and friend. Corlyss never met a person she didn't like. Her smile, along with her cheerful personality, made people like to be around her and was an inspiration to many. Her family and many friends will never forget her. Memorials may be made to Hospice Partners of the Central Coast, 277 S.Street, SLO, Cancer Society, or the Arroyo Grande First United Methodist Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Mortuary in Grover Beach. Funeral services will be conducted at Corlyss' church, on March 13, 2003 at 1:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 275 N.Halcyon Street, Arroyo Grande. Private interment will be at Arroyo Grande Cemetery.