Nancy Wright

Nancy Wright was born in Zanesville, Ohio and died on Wednesday at her home in Laredo, surrounded by her family and loved ones after battling melanoma cancer. Nancy was married to George Royle Wright for 57 years. Together, they raised seven children, Vincent (Cindy), Martha (Hugo D. Martinez), Barbara (Michael Glueck), Mary (deceased), Diana (Hanz Johansson), Steven (Lucy), and Randy (Stacy). She was blessed with thirteen grandchildren: Michael Daniel Martinez (deceased), Ashley Wright, Alison Martinez, Amy (Michael Ramirez), Danny Martinez, Eileen Martinez, Christopher Glueck, Carl-Anders Johansson, Kristina Johansson, Matthew Wright, Natalie Wright, Charlotte Wright, and Emma Wright; and 2 great-grandchildren Jacob and Emily Ramirez. Education was of paramount importance to Nancy. She held those close to her to the same high standard that she held herself. While raising her seven children, Nancy determinedly went back to school to pursue her bachelor's degree. She graduated in 1977 after making the Dean's List with a B.S. in Education, the same year her oldest son Vincent graduated from High School. Nancy went on to attain a Master's Degree in Education with a specialty in English in May of 1982. Her children all benefited greatly from her abilities to impart knowledge and all seven of them graduated with University Degrees. Nancy's life was an example to her family and those around her that anything was achievable, regardless of any perceived limitations. Nancy dedicated a few years to LISD, first learning sign language then teaching deaf elementary school students. Then, in 1982, she started her 23-year career at St. Augustine where she taught Middle School English and then High School History. She soon rose to become the head of the department. Nancy was also one of the main faculty advisors for the National Honor Society. In her 26 years of teaching, Nancy inspired over 2,500 students and challenged them all to reach their highest potential. She stayed in contact with many of them her whole life. From 1958 to 1993 she, Royle, and their children toured the US and Mexico, making a Commemorative American Heritage Tour of Gettysburg, Philadelphia, ending up in New Orleans on the 4th of July 1976. She visited Puerto Rico while Royle was on active duty there. In 1993, Nancy got her passport and hit the world running. In her years of traveling, she graced 18 countries with her playful presence and dry wit. Together with Royle, they adventured all throughout Europe staying with some of the families and using their children as guides, they attended the wedding of their French exchange student in France. Among the places they went with their German exchange student was the Berlin Wall, she even obtained a piece of the Wall. They braved post-Soviet Russia, the Australian Outback, and trekked all the way to the Great Wall of China. When she wasn't wandering the world, she invited the world into her home. Nancy and Royle hosted 14 foreign exchange students from all the farthest corners of the globe including Croatia, Thailand and Vietnam. For the entire duration of her life, Nancy was always a pursuer of knowledge and a leader. She authentically shared her experiences with those around her and inspired everyone to improve upon themselves. Even after her retirement in 2005, Nancy assisted in founding the local Red Hat Society (a social women's group), started substitute teaching, taught Junior Achievement classes, and furthered her education by taking college classes. If Nancy decided she wanted to do something, she would do so whole-heartedly and she would not quit until it was accomplished. She had a penchant for Literature and her favorite book was A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. She will always be remembered for her love of reading mystery novels and completing her daily crossword puzzles with pen. She had a way of giving tough love right when it was needed and was often heard telling mopey people to "get over it!" She boldly stood up for her beliefs and wasn't shy to tell exactly how she felt at any moment. Nancy was witty, authentic, intelligent, and funny until her last days. Bouts of laughter could be heard from the hospital room as her wit and candor cut through the thick and heavy air of the situation and brought smiles to her family in a time of tears. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Nancy Kennedy, her daughter Mary, and her grandson Michael Daniel Martinez. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Road; where a Rosary will commence at 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 23, 2015 departing at 9:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church located at 2219 Galveston St., Laredo, Texas 78043 for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. There will be a reception celebrating Nancy's life immediately after the Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Reception Hall. Pallbearers will be: Vincent Wright, Steven Wright, Randy Wright, Hugo D. Martinez, Daniel L. Martinez, Christopher Glueck, Rene San Miguel, and Thomas Waymouth. Burial will be conducted at a later time. In lieu of flowers, Nancy has requested Masses or Contributions to please be donated to the Building Fund for the Adoration Chapel at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.