Kathleen Wright

1945 - 2022

Kathleen Wright

Northfield, MA — Kathleen F. Wright, 76, died peacefully in her sleep April 22 (her mother's birthday), 2022, at Buckley HealthCare Center in Greenfield, Mass., following a long battle with cancer complicated by dementia.

Born in Newport, R.I., Aug. 24, 1945, to Stanley J. Powers Jr. and Hazel F. (Huss) Powers, she grew up in Greenfield until age 6, when the family moved to Northfield. She attended Northfield Elementary School and was a member of the Pioneer Valley Regional School Class of 1963, the first graduating class to attend all six years at the then new school. After Pioneer, she graduated from Bay Path Junior College in Longmeadow, Mass., and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned a BS degree. She was a Certified Public Accountant.

Kathleen's career was with the federal government, where she worked as an auditor for the Defense Contract Audit Agency in Boston. She lived for many years in Framingham. She and her former husband, Robert Wright, both had pilot's licenses and enjoyed flying their small plane. Upon her retirement, Kathleen returned to Northfield to care for her mother.

Kathleen was a member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church of Northfield, which she served as a treasurer and a trustee. She was a delegate to the Franklin Association, Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ. She was a member and treasurer of the Northfield Garden Club. She served two terms on the Northfield Selectboard, and served on the Northfield Elementary School building maintenance committee. She was a member of the Northfield Historical Society and a Friend of the Dickinson Memorial Library.

Kathleen loved her family: her brother, R. Michael Powers and his wife, Marcia; her sister, Christine Harris; and her cousins, Susan Ireland (husband, Dan), Stanley "Chip" Powers, and Joyce Wilson, and grandniece Jennica Chapin.

She loved her pets: Willie, her late Persian cat, and Emma, her Vizsla, who has found a loving home with Michael and Marcia. Many neighbors recall her walking her (slow) Bassett hound, Greta, and her (faster) Vizsla, Emma, around town.

She enjoyed quilting and loved her flower gardens. She was a great cook and hosted many special dinners for her family.

Among her treasured times were trips to the seashore with her brother, Mike, and his wife, Marcia, camping trips with their two dogs, and staying in pet-friendly hotels with the dogs. Kathleen also treasured the time spent with her sister, Chris, and Chris's dog, Bonnie ("our pack"). Kathy and Chris never tired of watching and rewatching the complete "Avengers" British TV series of the 1960s.

The family would like to thank the Rev. Rosemary Dawson, pastor of the Trinitarian Congregational Church of Northfield, for her love and support, and the kind and caring ministrations of Overlook Hospice, Pioneer Valley Hospice, and Buckley HealthCare Center during Kathleen's final time on this Earth.

Kathleen loved fresh-cut flowers and always had a bouquet in her home. The family suggests you bring a bouquet of flowers to a neighbor or loved one in her memory. Donations in her memory may be made to Friends of Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St., Northfield MA 01360.

Calling hours are set for Wednesday, April 27, 2022, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Avenue, Northfield , Mass. A service of remembrance will be held Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 11 a.m., at the Trinitarian Congregational Church, 147 Main St., Northfield, Mass., followed by a reception in the church lounge.

Kidder Funeral Home of Northfield, Mass., is in charge of arrangements. To send a condolence or for directions please visit www.kidderfuneralhome.com.