Cornelia Robertson

Cornelia Emma Wetzel Robertson (1919 – 2024) Cornelia Wetzel Robertson passed away peacefully at her home in Huntsville, Texas with her daughters by her side on June 24, 2024, one week before her 105th birthday. Cornelia was born to Harry Scott and Emmie Powell Wetzel on July 3, 1919, in Marlin, Texas. She grew up in Galveston and Freeport, Texas, and graduated Salutatorian at age 16 from Freeport High School. She went on to graduate cum laude from Southwestern University with a degree in music at age 19. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority; Pi Gamma Mu, National Social Science Honor Society; and Alpha Chi, National College Honor Society. Cornelia’s first job was teaching music in Thorndale, Texas. One of her fondest memories was of wobbling across a freshly-plowed field in high heels to meet the school superintendent (the interview was a success, and she got the job). Cornelia was a chemist at Dow Chemical during World War II, and went on to serve as Director of the Junior Red Cross in Galveston. She received her Masters of Education degree in 1948 from the University of Houston. Following the war, Cornelia married her childhood sweetheart Foster Marshall Robertson. She spent the next 24 years traveling the world at Marshall’s side, still wearing high heels and with three children in tow. They lived throughout the United States, France, and England, as well as Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and India. Cornelia was a pioneer in the early age of air travel. She loved vacationing through Europe and sharing stories about her family’s adventures abroad. Cornelia lost the love of her life when Marshall unexpectedly passed away in 1971. She returned to the Brazosport area to teach first and second grade in Freeport and Lake Jackson. She was an active member and officer of Daughters of the American Revolution; Daughters of the Republic of Texas; United Daughters of the Confederacy; and Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional women’s education society. After becoming reacquainted at a ‘Black and Gold’ Freeport High School reunion, Cornelia married Ed McKee in 1982. They lived in Brazoria, Texas, and traveled the US and Canada together. Following their divorce in 1992, Cornelia moved to Clearwater, Florida, to be near her daughter Ilyse. While there, she met Timothy Lorden with whom she had a long, fun, and loving relationship before his passing in 2007. Cornelia had always talked about “retiring” to Texas, and in 2015 at age 96 she finally moved to Huntsville to be near her daughter Emmy. Throughout her life, Cornelia was passionate about dancing10 and was a Master Bridge player. She led an active social life with countless friends made along the way. She was a notorious chocoholic and kept a stash of chocolate bars in her bureau drawer, out of reach of the kids. She never failed to look on the bright side of any situation she found herself in. “I just laugh, and I never remember the bad times.” Cornelia was happiest when she was with her family and getting ready for the next move to a new country or state. A unique woman for her generation, with an advanced degree and no interest or ability to cook. Cornelia was preceded in death by her parents Emmie Powell and Harry Scott Wetzel; husband Foster Marshall Robertson; son John Scott Robertson; and sister Corine Wetzel Strickland. She is survived by her daughters, Emmy Robertson Bushman (Darrell) and Ilyse Robertson Sauer (Mark); daughter-in-law, Gemma Navarro Robertson; granddaughter Alice Bushman Pavlak (Michael); nephew Lamar Scott “Jeb” Strickland (Judy); and cousin Donald AbdAllah Powell Cole. The family offers their deepest gratitude to the staff of the Assisted Living at The Carriage Inn, Divine Life Change Home Care, and Devotion Hospice and Palliative Care. Their attention and loving care made Cornelia’s last years happy ones. A private graveside service will be held at Restwood Memorial Park in Clute, Texas. Memorial condolences may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Cornelia Robertson

July 3, 1919 - June 24, 2024