Mary E. Wright, age 99, passed away on December 15, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center after a short illness. She was born on February 18, 1913 in Springfield to Thomas and Delia (Grady) Ruddeforth. She was raised in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield and lived the majority of her life in East Springfield where she was a communicant of the former St. Mary’s Parish now known as Mary, Mother of Hope Church. She was predeceased in 1994 by her husband of 59 years Robert E. Wright, a longtime firefighter in Springfield. They were married in August of 1935 in the former Our Lady of Hope Church. She was also predeceased by one son, Robert J. Wright, in 2003; three sisters Edith, Ruth and Mildred and also by two brothers Thomas and Eugene.
She leaves her son Thomas E. Wright and his wife Kathleen of Longmeadow, with whom she made her home for the past eight years. She also leaves her cherished brother-in-law Harold Wright of Wilbraham and her loving sister-in-law Kathleen Sullivan Wright of Springfield. She also leaves seven grandchildren Michael C. Wright and his wife Amanda of Chandler, AZ; Atty. Daniel T. Wright and his wife Elizabeth of Longmeadow, Timothy J. Wright and his wife Victoria of Longmeadow, Ellen Rosemond and her husband Michael, Susan Hucul, Judith Ferri and Gary McFadden all of Springfield and 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
For the past two years she had been featured at the annual Cathedral High Reunion as the oldest member of the Cathedral High Golden Panthers Class of 1930. Along with her husband Bob, Mae was active in the St. Mary’s annual music reviews and the annual Sports Jamboree. She was also an original member of the St. Mary’s Semper Fidelis Club.
The family wishes to thank Amedisys Home Health Care for their assistance for the last eight years with special thanks to her nurse Sherry O’Connell and her CNA Michele Brown. There will be a Viewing Hour from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM on Tuesday December 18, 2012 at the Grise Funeral Home 280 Springfield Street, Chicopee followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Mary, Mother of Hope Church. Burial will follow in St Michael Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd. Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Cathedral High School Scholarship Fund, 262 Surrey Rd. Springfield, MA 01118.