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Recognized as her husband's closest
adviser and confidant by those close to the couple, she possessed
keen political insights and an informed understanding of his work,
but she shunned attention. A friend called her Bob Michel's silent
partner, "his sounding board." Mrs. Michel was a popular surrogate
for the congressman in the 18th Congressional District of Illinois,
attending events on his behalf, speaking with constituents whenever
the need arose and monitoring the political pulse of the district.
Musically gifted -- she was noted for
having perfect pitch -- she received a bachelor of arts and a
bachelor of music education degree in piano from Bradley University
and then taught music at Roosevelt Junior High School in Peoria.
She was a longtime community leader in
music and the arts and was a member of the original community group
to bring opera and ballet to Peoria. She was active in the Central
Illinois Youth Symphony, the Peoria Players, the Amateur Music Club
of Peoria and the Cornstock Theater. She was also a member of Sigma
Alpha Iota musical fraternity.
In Washington, Mrs. Michel performed in
a chamber music group. A member of the group described her as a
"marvelous classical pianist."
Mrs. Michel met her husband when they
both sang in the a cappella choir of Bradley University, and they
were married in Peoria on Dec. 26, 1948.
Throughout the Michels' 54 years
together in Illinois and in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Michel
accompanied her husband on the piano while he entertained audiences
with his singing. They were the feature entertainment at many
receptions, holiday parties and other gatherings of friends,
colleagues and staff.
In four decades of congressional life
in the nation's capital, the role and responsibilities of political
spouses changed dramatically as the social fabric of the country
changed. Throughout that period, Corinne Michel served as a mentor,
friend and counselor to many congressional wives and conducted
orientation sessions for the spouses of new members of Congress. She
was very active in the Congressional Club for members of Congress
and their spouses and in the Republican Congressional Spouses,
serving as an officer of both.
A close friend and former congressional
spouse described her as "down-to-earth, a wonderful person with a
terrific sense of humor and an infectious laugh," and added,
"Everyone loved her, and she was so dedicated to her husband and her
children." Another friend said, "You won't find anyone who ever said
a bad word about her."
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She was a member of the Society of
Sponsors of the U.S. Navy, and in 1968 she christened the USS Peoria
in San Diego.
Mrs. Michel was the recipient of a
number of awards, including one from the Children's Inn, which
provides housing for parents of hospitalized children.
Each year, Bradley University awards
the Corinne and Bob Michel scholarships. The Everett McKinley
Dirksen Center in Pekin oversees the Robert H. and Corinne Michel
Congressional Education Fund, created with a grant from the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Mrs. Michel was a member of the First
Presbyterian Church of Peoria, Pi Beta Phi sorority; the
International Neighbors Club; the Daughters of 1812; the Republican
Women's Federal Forum of Washington, for which she served as
chairman in 1989 and 1990; the GS chapter of the PEO; and the
Methodist Hospital Service League. She was a longtime volunteer for
the Central Illinois Mental Health Association. She also served as a
member of the board of directors of the Capitol Hill Club and headed
congressional relations efforts for the first Reagan inauguration.
Corinne Ellen Woodruff was born in
Onida, S.D, on April 30, 1926, to Constance Noste Woodruff and Lewis
McCabe Woodruff. She lived in St. Paul, Minn., and Pittsburgh, Pa.,
before her family moved to Peoria, where she graduated from Peoria
High School in 1943.
She is survived by her husband; four
children, Scott of Chicago, Laurie of Alexandria, Va., Bruce of
Vienna, Va., and Robin, San Francisco, Calif.; three grandsons,
Matthew, Drew and Lucas; and a brother, Herbert W. (and Jesse)
Woodruff of Salem.
She was preceded in death by two
brothers.
Funeral arrangements are being handled
by Wilton Mortuary in Peoria. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in
Peoria.
In lieu of
flowers, contributions may be made to the Corinne and Bob Michel
Scholarship Fund at Bradley University.
[News release from U.S. Rep.
Ray LaHood]
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