Mary Ellen Bright

Mary Ellen Bright Mary Ellen Bright, 97, passed away on April 16, 2009. She was born Mary Ellen Taylor in Pittsburgh, PA on November 3, 1911. When in Sarasota, FL on vacation in 1933, she met Dunning Bright, who had unhappily cancelled a fishing trip to take Mary Ellen on a blind date to a tea dance. Upon arrival at the dance he "lost" Mary Ellen, but soon noticed all his friends were lining up to dance with someone: his date. He quickly reconsidered his situation and it was then he was hooked and reeled in for life. He learned something that night, one simply could not ignore Mary Ellen. They married in Memphis, Tennessee in 1935. Right before Pearl Harbor in 1941, they bought Kelly Smith Cleaners and moved to Austin. It was a time when Austin was a small college town and great friendships were made with doctors, lawyers, politicians and businessmen that lasted the rest of their lives, theirs was "the Greatest Generation". Everyone looked forward to the Brights' annual oyster parties with barrels of oysters in the garage and Mary Ellen greeting people at the door with her electric smile and her clam chowder. She was gifted with a quick wit and entertained everyone with her endless sense of humor and her charm. She spent her last years living in the country outside Bryan, Texas with her daughter Dede, where everyone thought she wouldn't "find trouble", but of course, everyone was wrong. Even into her 90's she could cause a commotion of some sort and heads would shake and tears of laughter would fall shamelessly down everyone's cheeks. She has left behind a wealth of stories and a family who will miss her mightily. She is survived by daughter Rosemary (Dede) Bright and son Dunning Bright and wife Patti; four grandchildren Trey Hanover, and Stephanie; Leah Petri, husband, Chris; Bonnie Bright; and, Katie Bright; and great-grandchildren Cuatro and Kendall Hanover and Walker and Hughes Petri survive her as well. A Celebratory Open House in Mary Ellen's honor will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2009 at the home of Leah and Chris Petri, 3000 Belmont Circle in Austin from 2:00-4:00. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully asks you consider donating to Hospice of Brazos Valley in Bryan, Texas or the Hearne Nursing Center in Hearne, Texas, two fine organizations who gave her wonderful care while sharing our appreciation of her spunky humor to the end.