Irmgard Wright

Irmgard Julia Wright, 89, passed away Saturday evening, Aug. 27, 2011, with her stepdaughter, Ginger, at her side at her home in Los Osos. Julia, as she was known to friends and family, was born in Salzburg, Austria, in July 1922, the only child of Leonhard and Julie Muller.  She became an interpreter for the Allied Forces after World War II. She later immigrated to Canada, with little more than her spirit and drive to support her. While there, she found work as a travel agent with Blaney''s Travel in Victoria, BC.  While in Canada, she met Ralph Wright, who was working on a film for Walt Disney Studios. They were married on August 4, 1960, and lived in Van Nuys, Calif., until they retired to their "piece of heaven" in Los Osos in 1971.  She could not sit still for very long, however, and opened a knitting business to pass along her needlework skills and love of the craft. At the same time, she started a Bed and Breakfast for visitors to share her hospitality and the wonderful natural beauty of Los Osos.  She was also very active in community affairs and was one of the founding board members of the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival (Festival Mozaic). She was also a founding and continuous member of The South Bay Women''s Network. She was a world class knitter, having learned at the age of four from her mother how to knit and crochet. She designed for many labels, including Lanz of Salzburg and Baby Guess.  Her work along with other master artisans was displayed at the Clinton White House. Julia and Ralph had no children together, but Julia openly and lovingly adopted Ralph''s three adult children in 1978. One of her proudest moments came in 1999 when she became an American citizen. Julia was a magical person with the ability to make friends with anyone in a matter of minutes. She charmed everyone with recollections of her intriguing past, sometimes talking until the wee hours of the morning about the ordeal of living under Nazi occupation during World War II and the relief of American liberation in 1945.  Julia''s friends were countless. Her loving ways will live on in those she touched and loved. She had an affinity for animals of any kind and was always their good guardian and advocate. She held a close relationship with nature and the power it held. The family would like to thank Hospice Partners of the Central Coast for their long, remarkable and loving care of Julia.  Julia leaves behind a dearly loved niece, Irene Tremlova, of Illinois; stepdaughter, Virginia "Ginger" Ellen Wright Bennie (Roger) of Idaho; grandchildren Michael Keeshen (Libby) of South Carolina, John Keeshen (Debbie) of Georgia, Kathleen Keeshen (Mike Nolan) and William Keeshen (Kristin) of California, Ralph Timothy Keeshen of Maine, James Bennie MD (Angie) of California, and Deanne Bennie Alexander (Ronald) of Idaho.  She also deeply loved each and every one of her 17 great-grandchildren and her dear friend, Christine Munson.  Julia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; stepson, William Randolph Wright; and stepdaughter, Janice Fay Wright Keeshen. There will be no memorial service, as Julia believed in celebrating life, however in April, friends and family will gather to remember this remarkable woman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Julia''s name to the SPCA, Hospice Partners of the Central Coast or a charity of your choosing.