Corinne Brandon Gellman Kirkham

Aug 17, 2019 | Obituaries, Obituaries 2019 | 5 comments

Corinne Brandon Gellman Kirkham of Leawood, KS, passed away August 9, 2019 after a battle with COPD. She was born in Manhattan, New York, on June 30, 1936 as the daughter of Jean and Emil Brandon.

Having received her Bachelor’s degree in French, her first job was teaching French in Alabama.

Then she began her second vocation as a programmer and technical team manager. In that position, in the mid-80s, Corinne was the only key personnel on a multi-million dollar contract for a company that did contracting for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Her third and final “job” took advantage of her life-long passion…her love of playing tournament bridge. Corinne and her husband Jim Kirkham were professional bridge players for many years. They travelled across the country and around the world. She was known for her wicked sense of humor and she was famous for her speedy play, as she was always trying to complete the round early so that she could get in a quick smoke before the next round started. Many friendships started out of those trips between rounds.

She served on the National Board of Directors of the American Contract Bridge League.

Corinne and Jim were the only married couple to both amass more than 25,000 master points.

Corinne was an avid reader, devouring mysteries as quickly as she got them and always searching for the next book, sharing them with her group of reading friends.

She enjoyed lunches with her Red Hat Ladies Club.

Corinne was preceeded by her husband Jim, who passed in 2011.

She is survived by her children Jeff Gellman of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Matt and Cynthia Gellman of Hixson, TN, Adair Gellman and Vincent Bartone of Ashburn, VA, her grandson Brandon Gellman of Jacksonville Beach, FL, her sister Sherri Huffman of Accokeek, MD, and her ex-husband Len Gellman of Leawood, KS.

Corinne requested that if anyone wishes to do anything in her memory that they make a contribution to one of the following charities: Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, or Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

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Adair Gellman

4 years ago

Hi folks. One of the bright spots over the last number of days has been the change to speak with a number of people I haven’t seen in many years.

I’ve been sharing the story from when mom and I played in a sectional in Rosslyn when i was 16 or 17. We were playing against Scott Tumperi and Ransone Price who were at University of VA at the time. Ransone was trying to explain what he had done on the first board of the round…”well, if THIS had happened and if THAT had happened and if she had done this….”. Mom leaned forward, turned to Ransone and said…”My dear young man…(long pause)…if my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle.” Scott and Ransone just stared at one another and then looked at me and then at mom and they had NO response to that….lol.

But that is just pure, classic mom. A real wicked sense of humor. And anyone who knows her can just hear her say it…lol.

I don’t have a facebook page, but I am on LinkedIn. thanks to all…adair

Judy kirkham Coiner

4 years ago

Reply to Adair Gellman

Adair that was perfect. Corinne would have loved it. I enjoyed seeing all of you too. Thanks for dinner and very enjoyable time!

Scott Tumperi

4 years ago

Reply to Adair Gellman

Adair: I have told that story so many times. In fact, I have used it when my students say “if…” from time to time.

One other part of that story from the first time I met you mom was that at the beginning of the round, I introduced Ransone and myself, saying we were from UVA, and I asked your mom where she was from. She responded that she was from Mars.

My first sectional ever and I was hooked!

Tump

Adair Gellman

4 years ago

Reply to Scott Tumperi

Hey there scott!!

i know…what a line, eh?

how can you NOT remember this story?

adair

GS Jade Barrett

4 years ago

Reply to Adair Gellman

I mourn your Mom and my friend’s passing. I enjoyed playing with her from time to time and the countless hours we spent sitting outside discussing whatever insanity we had just witnessed at the table or some stupid ACBL political thing.

The last 5 years have been hard, so the last chance I had to play with Corinne was about a year or so after Jim died. As always she was interesting to play with and I remember the time fondly.

My comfort to you, and I hope to see you again, too, someday.

Jade

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