Patricia S. Wright

1937 - 2023

Patricia S. Wright, 85, Rensselaer, passed away on July 24, 2023, at her daughter's home in Carmel.

She was born in Danville, Ill. on Aug. 2, 1937, the daughter of Loran and Lura (Bodine) Smith.

She grew up in Covington and graduated from Covington High School in 1955 where she was Valedictorian, homecoming queen and an active member in the band and choral programs. Covington High is where her gift of music blossomed, but more importantly it's where she met the love of her life, Franklin D Wright, accepting a ride home from him after band practice and eventually marrying him on Sept. 1, 1957. They spent 64 wonderful years together until Frank's death in 2021.

After high school, Pat danced professionally in Chicago and attended Northwestern University. But her heart was with Frank, so she transferred to Purdue University during her sophomore year after she and Frank got engaged. In 1959 she graduated with honors from Purdue's first class of education majors and, following in her mother's footsteps, began her career as an elementary education teacher. She returned to Purdue years later to earn her master's degree in education.

Pat's entire life was filled with music. She came from a musical family, took piano lessons from a very young age, gave piano lessons to numerous aspiring pianists, including her three children, and directed choirs at every church she and Frank attended in Indiana, New York and Ohio. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Rensselaer for over 50 years -- that church is where she made her greatest musical impact. She directed the chancel choir, youth choirs and handbell choirs and played the piano for Sunday service until this past Spring when she became too ill to continue. She and Frank also played and sang for many weddings of family and friends over the years. She loved playing for Frank and, as her final tribute to him, played and recorded the piano music for his celebration of life service last summer.

A close second to her passion for music was her passion for education. She returned to teaching in 1978 and taught fifth and third grade at Monnett and Van Rensselaer Elementary Schools until she retired in 1997. During her illness she received many calls and notes of encouragement from her former students and teaching colleagues. She loved seeing her students excel and kept in contact with many of them after they graduated and started their own careers.

But above all things, family came first for Pat. She was a devoted wife and daughter, an exemplary and loving mother to her three children and their partners, and a doting grandmother to her eight grandchildren (who lovingly called her "Nana"). She never missed an opportunity to offer a kind and encouraging word, and always made sure her family knew how important they were to her. Her smile radiated happiness whenever she saw her grandchildren, especially when they visited her during the last weeks of her life.

Pat is survived by her children, Michael (Jim Hundrieser), Saugatuck, Mich., Scott (Sharron), Carmel, and Juliann (Fidel) Mercado, Carmel; eight grandchildren; sister-in-law, Sharon Wright, State Line City; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Frank.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at Jackson Funeral Chapel in Rensselaer on Friday, Aug. 11 from 4 – 8 p.m. CT. A funeral service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Rensselaer at noon CT on Saturday, Aug. 12.

A private burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers Pat requested that donations be made to the Care for Kids fund at Trinity United Methodist Church in Rensselaer.