Mary Wright

Mary Wright

1921 - 2015 BRATTLEBORO Mary C. A. Wright, 93, of Oak Grove Avenue, died peacefully on Jan. 13, 2015 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She was born in Turners Falls, MA on Nov. 25, 1921, the daughter of Felix and Marie (Sills) Paulin. Mary was a 1940 graduate of Turners Falls High School and received a B.S. degree in accounting from Bryant College in Providence, R.I. in 1950. Mary played on basketball teams in high school, college, and the military. As a young woman, she was a Red Cross-certified water safety instructor and she taught combat survival swimming in the Army. Early in World War II, Mary enlisted in the WAAC, which later became the WAC. She served in the United States for three years, then in Japan for two years after the war ended. Mary also served in the U.S. Air Force for three years during the Korean Conflict, including one year in Iceland. On Oct. 5, 1953, in Millbrook, IL, she married John R. Wright, who survives. After moving to Brattleboro from Chicago in 1970, Mary was employed in the business office of the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union and subsequently at the Vermont National Bank from which she retired in 1984. She was very active in the local Floral Arts and Garden Club, the Women's Evening Club, the Brattleboro Area AARP chapter, Pennywise Home Dem, and the Silver Liners dance group. For many years, Mary was a volunteer worker at Red Cross blood drawings and at the polls on election days. Her other interests included operatic and symphonic music, and travel. In addition to her husband of 61 years, she is survived by two sisters, Celina of Palm Bay, FL and Claire of Georgetown, TX; and one brother, Joseph of Intervale, N.H. In accordance with Mary's wishes, there will be no calling hours or services. Mary was an organ donor. Her remains will be cremated and her ashes scattered over a lake in northern Wisconsin, where Mary and John were directors of a summer camp for boys and girls during the first summer of their marriage. Mary hoped that those who wish to make memorial gifts would do so to the Windham County Humane Society, PO Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online register book with messages of e-condolence please visit www.atamaniuk.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.