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Dorothy Marie Wright, 102, of Charlottesville, Virginia, died on October 26, 2024 at her home.
Born April 5, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of Stanislaus Nowak, MD, and Anne Valentine Fleming. She was preceded in death by Francis Marion “Fritz” Wright III, her husband of 74 years.
Mrs. Wright graduated with a degree in art history from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, studying watercolor with Prof. Louise Woodruff. She married Fritz in 1943. She moved frequently on account of her husband’s career, living in Tarentum, Pennsylvania; Shelbyville, Indiana; Oakmont, Pennsylvania; and Shelby, North Carolina before settling in Middletown, New Jersey, where she lived from 1968 through 2007. She worked first in journalism, including as a newspaper editor. She then worked as an English instructor at Gardner-Webb College and Monmouth College. After obtaining a masters degree in education in 1967, she taught English at Holmdel High School for 20 years. Mr. and Mrs. Wright made bi-weekly trips into New York City for shows and museum visits, during which she developed a love for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They traveled extensively, visiting approximately 100 countries, with a focus on seeing wildlife and cultural artifacts.
Mrs. Wright lived the last 17 years of her life in Charlottesville where she thoroughly enjoyed access to the University of Virginia and the warm hospitality of many friends at the Colonnades Senior Living. She is remembered by her family as someone who valued tradition and a good celebration on any occasion. She read newspapers and magazines regularly and was a daily print subscriber of the New York Times until her death.
Mrs. Wright is survived by her daughters JoAnn Harrington of Birmingham, Michigan; Robin Westbrook (Reeves) of Great Falls,
Virginia; grandchildren Amy Wright of Portsmouth, Rhode Island; Andrew Francis Westbrook (Sally) of Larchmont, New York; Christy Harrington of Waterford, Michigan; Marjorie Westbrook Cobb (John) of Oakland, California; Suzanne Westbrook van Landingham (Michael) of Madison, Wisconsin, and nine great-grandchildren. Her son-in-law Dennis Harrington predeceased her.
The family is especially grateful for the loving attention provided by Wendy Collins of Nellysford, Virginia; Commonwise Home Care; and the Blake Assisted Living.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org.
For more on services and to share your condolences, visit Hill and Wood Funeral Service.