Linda Marie Wright

Linda Marie Wright went home to be with our Lord and Savior on July 24, 2025.

Linda was born in Monongahela, PA, on December 17, 1960, to Mary (Burke) and Robert Wright. One of four siblings, Linda was the youngest by a number of years and spent a lot of time by herself, reading just about anything she could find. She especially loved mysteries and science fiction. Her intellect and inquisitive nature led her to study physics on scholarship at Penn State University.

Dedication to family required Linda to leave the program, but she maintained a devotion to education. Linda applied her talents to several universities, including the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. At CMU, she started out working in the Alumni Association, where she enjoyed meeting and getting to know many alumni. Most recently, she worked in information technology in support of the university's fundraising program. Linda was very proud of her and her colleagues' impactful contribution to the university, alumni, and students, and-through CMU's mission-the world. Linda often spoke of the incredible people she worked with, whom she valued deeply.

Linda's desire to care for others included many years of volunteering when her health was good. Christmas was her favorite time of year. She loved to laugh and loved Monty Python and the Three Stooges. She also enjoyed spooky monster stories and Halloween, roller coasters, cooking and baking for others, theater and dance, museums and festivals, magicians and comedians, listening to any kind of live music (especially jazz), and she loved dogs. She was a very good aunt to her friends' pets and would look after them, even though she was allergic to cats.

Linda recently had a number of significant health problems that required visitation to many clinics and healthcare professionals. She managed these difficulties with grace and good humor, always with kindness and appreciation for those taking care of her. She was generous and patient, having a way of making those around her feel special and loved. She appreciated each and every one of the many kind souls who took care of her and was very much loved in return.

Preceding Linda in death are her parents, Mary and Robert Wright, sister Sylvia Burke Wheeler, and brother Donald Ellis "Pete" Burke.

Linda is survived by her brother, James Raymond Wright; her sister-in-law, Frances May Burke; her dear friend, Susan Zavage Grivnow and husband, Stephen; and beloved partner, Ron Hespenheide. Ron and Linda were planning a life together with their beagle, Willie Nelson, whom Linda adored. Linda is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

For those of us missing Linda, there will remain a space in our hearts that cannot be filled. But if we carry on by her example, offering each other love, patience, and kindness, we will honor her memory.

The family suggests that donations made in Linda's memory go to Animal Friends, American Diabetes Association, or Carnegie Mellon University.