Fiona Kinloch-King Corso, born November 19, 1943, in the occupied British Crown Colony of Hong Kong, died on January 16, 2021, at home in Newport News and at peace with her life that was remarkable for its tragedies, adventures, love, and kindness. Fiona’s lifelong devotion to humanity and philanthropy was born of her early years as a prisoner of war during World War II and her struggles throughout childhood to recover from the ravages of that war.  She overcame these adversities to become a teacher, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and a devoted activist and volunteer.

Born in Stanley Internment Camp, Hong Kong, after the fall of the British Crown Colony to the Japanese Army, Fiona spent her first years in dire circumstances. Her father, Sgt. Wallace Kinloch of the Scots Guards and later the Royal Hong Kong Police, and her mother, Joan King, a nurse serving with the National Health Service at the time of the fall of Hong Kong, were both interred as prisoners of war from Christmas Day 1941 until the surrender of the Japanese on August 16, 1945. Fiona spent her first two years in the camp before all British prisoners were repatriated in late 1945.

Fiona, her older sister Susan, and their mother Joan spent time as refugees in Palestine in transit to England following the war. Because of the aftermath of the war in England and the loss of many loved ones, Fiona and her family were without a permanent home and were often separated in the ensuing years. Fiona spent her most formative and loving childhood years in Plymouth, England with her beloved grandmother, Flora McDonald Black, a talented painter and early suffragette. In her teenage years, Fiona’s family relocated to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. There she excelled in school, graduating from Launceston Teacher’s College.

Fiona became a special education teacher in Tasmania, and later in Sydney, Australia, a skill that would serve her well for decades as a patient and amazing literacy teacher for children and adults. While traveling much in her early adult years, Fiona met then CPT Richard J. Corso, USA while visiting Vicenza, Italy. Fiona and Richard married on August 19, 1972 in Italy. After so many years traveling the world, Fiona’s first visit to America came when they were transferred to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, many miles from anything remotely interesting. There Fiona and Dick had two children, Janet and Andrew. Fiona and family moved to Newport News in 1979, where they stayed after Dick retired from the Army. Fiona was proud to become a U.S. citizen in 1981 at the Federal courthouse in Norfolk.

Fiona’s priority was her own children, whom she brilliantly raised while always exemplifying her firmness and kindness. She gave so much of herself and regularly sacrificed in ways we may never know so that her children, and later grandchildren, would have what they needed to succeed in life.
Though formal teaching was important to her, Fiona’s passion was volunteer work and to that she devoted countless hours and limitless energy over many decades. Early during the 1980s AIDS crisis she served with the Peninsula AIDS Foundation, providing direct support and care to the dying. She worked for many years at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Newport News providing meals through their backdoor kitchen, and eventually ran a weekend lunch program for the church.  As well as working as a teaching assistant, Fiona volunteered in schools, including Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Palmer Elementary, and served as President of the Menchville High School PTSA. Additionally, she actively promoted democracy and equality, particularly when she lobbied with the League of Women Voters, and supported numerous other charitable groups. She had a lifelong devotion to ensuring the needy were provided for, particularly children, given her own childhood experiences during World War II and in its aftermath.

Fiona was an avid reader her entire life, devouring books with almost unimaginable speed.  Likewise, as both a proper steward of the English language and a devoted teacher, Fiona volunteered with literacy programs including Peninsula READS, where she tutored adult immigrants learning English.  Her experience as a refugee gave her a unique passion and concern for immigrants to the United States.

In her later years, Fiona became active with Christopher Newport University’s Lifelong Learning Center, continuing her education in literature and the arts. When she studied poetry, she wrote       profound poems lamenting her family’s early tragedies and struggles, as well as some colorful verses about her distaste for Trump. She lived long enough to see his defeat and had been looking forward to celebrating the inauguration of President Biden and Vice-President Harris.

Fiona is survived by her husband, MAJ Richard Corso, USA (Ret.), her daughter Janet Wooldridge and son-in-law Drew, her son CAPT Andrew Corso, USN and daughter-in-law Megan, and by five much-loved grandchildren: Ian, Lucas, Samantha, Jacob, and Alex. Her eldest grandson, Ian Ericksen, devoted the last couple years to caring for both Fiona and Dick when they could no longer manage, while also providing the necessary sounding board for Fiona’s vivid opinions and strong will.

Fiona will be remembered by friends and family for, in her words, her “loud mouth and soft heart.” She was a woman of strong conviction, charitable instincts, and passion, but humble in her aspirations. Because of her humility, Fiona asked for no memorial service, only that we remember what she stood for and remembered her love. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite organization to continue her support for education, immigration and civil rights.