1925 – 2025
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, Mrs. Jean Frances Wright of Innisfail, Alberta, decided to celebrate her 100th birthday in heaven with those who had gone on before, including her beloved and loving husband, Bob, her cherished sons, Neil and Bill, and her son-in-law, Bill Niddrie.
Jean was born on March 24, 1925 in Coalhurst, Alberta, the first child of Maryanne Hunt (nee Anderson) and Herman Hunt. She grew up on the family’s farm in Iron Springs, Alberta. Jean attended Huntsville School in Iron Springs until Grade Eleven, when she and the only other student in that grade attended school in Picture Butte, Alberta. She attended Lethbridge Collegiate for a month of Grade Twelve, before leaving school.
Jean started working in the Imperial Optical Factory at the age of seventeen in Lethbridge, Alberta. She worked there until the age of twenty, when she was let go due to military service personnel returning. Jean moved back home and completed Grade Twelve in the Huntsville School. After achieving her Teacher’s Certification, Jean taught at the Huntsville School, Barrhill School, Johnson Mill School, Airdrie, Halkirk and Bowden, where she retired after twenty-eight years as a teacher.
She was twenty-one when she met Bob Wright at a birthday party. Bob and Jean were married on August 21, 1948. They welcomed their first child, their daughter, Nora on September 22, 1949, followed by their son, Bill on August 7, 1952, their son, Neil on March 2, 1954, their son, Ian on March 15, 1960 and their daughter, Elaine on April 3, 1963. Jean was petite, outgoing and social. She was a doer, a dynamo, an Energizer Bunny. While still teaching, gardening and sewing, she joined the Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, taught Sunday School, led CGIT and Explorers, and sang in the church choir. Upon retiring, she was a staunch volunteer at the Innisfail Hospital Auxiliary, sang with the Senior Serenaders and continued her involvement with the United Church Women, and Alberta Women’s Institute, and was a Steward and Presbytery Representative. She also canvassed for the Heart and Stroke Fund, Canadian Cancer Society and the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Her faith was central to her being. She was a lifelong United Church member, who strove to live the teachings of Christ to the best of her abilities.
Her daughter, Nora, her son, Ian, and her daughter, Elaine, and her son-in-law, Dean, will hold her in their hearts. She will be missed and lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Will, Denise, Kenny, Trevor (Nicole), Gavin (Kim), and Gail, her great grandchildren, Nic, Katy, Ryker, Emma, Angus, Lily and Abby, as well as her sister, Joyce Harvey.
The family would like to thank the kind and compassionate Innisfail Healthcare Center staff who cared for Jean and all those who prayed, visited and kept Jean in their thoughts. If desired, Memorial Donations in Jean's honor may be made to the Innisfail Health Center at 5023 - 42 Street, Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1A9 or to the Innisfail United Church at 4720 – 48 Avenue, Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1N6.
A Celebration of Jean’s Life will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at the Innisfail United Church, 4720 – 48 Avenue, Innisfail, Alberta, with a luncheon to follow. For those unable to attend, the Service will be Livestreamed. To watch the Innisfail United Church Livestream of the Service, please go to their YouTube Channel, Innisfail United-Church @innisfailunited-church5368. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
