Helen Elizabeth Wright

Helen Elizabeth Wright, 80, passed away Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Born December 19, 1930 in McMinn County, TN; she was the second of three daughters of the late James Walter Vestal and Annie Josephine Guinn Vestal.

Growing up in Athens, TN, Helen and her sisters enjoyed outdoor activities such as tennis, gardening, and music. Helen had several recitals and made records of classical piano music. Helen grew up surrounded by family pets, mainly dogs; however there was also a sheep called Big Boy who was a pet. In high school, Helen and her sisters used to hide him in the basement to keep him from becoming the subject of rival schools’ pranks. Helen was a majorette with the marching band and graduated high school May 28, 1948 as an honor student with scholarships.

Helen attended college at Tennessee Wesleyan in Athens, TN where she studied music and English. Helen was a member of the Zeta Mu Epsilon Sorority and the Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity. After graduating, Helen got a job as the secretary for the manager of the local gas company. Afterwards, she got a job with the Federal Government which involved a move to New York. As the site secretary on Plum Island, Helen had many duties including maintaining radio communication with the mainland. This is where she met her husband of 50 years as all employees would take the same WWII landing craft as a ferry over to the island.

Helen and James were married October 15, 1955 in Washington, DC. Helen had her first baby, a Siamese cat named Kia. Kia lived with the family for nearly 20 years. Helen had four children, 2 boys and 2 girls. As the family moved from city to city she acquired a taste for collecting antiques. This interest later turned into a love of garage sales as well as becoming a part-time antique dealer.

Helen will be remembered for her love of animals. She especially enjoyed feeding and watching the birds in her backyard. Helen also loved flowers and routinely turned phone books into flower presses. Helen had a great sense of style and would take special care arranging her homes. She always said that she would have the house fixed up just right by the time her husband's job required them to relocate.

In later years, her Parkinson’s disease, which she battled for several decades, further limited her ability to truly enjoy the things she loved.

She is survived by her four children: Melissa and Mark Lynch of Clermont, FL, John and Alice Wright of Raleigh, Annette and Steve Stallings of Bunn, NC and Joseph and Maylean Wright of Mauldin, SC; by her grandchildren: Maia, Madison, Carey, Mary-Pat, Amy, Karen and Colin; step-grandchildren: Crystal and Daniel; by her great-grandchildren: Cooper, Sam, Jack, Siobhan, Maureen and Diarmuid; and by her step-great-grandchildren: Will, C.J., Christopher and Nicole.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Dr. James Wright.

Family will receive friends on Friday evening, March 4, 2011 from 6-8 PM at Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Avenue). A Funeral Mass will be said on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 12:30 PM at the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi – 11401 Leesville Road in Raleigh. Entombment will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Flowers or plants are appreciated; however, contributions may be made to the Parkinson Disease Foundation at www.pdf.org or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association www.Apdaparkinson.org and then selecting memorial donations.

Condolences to the family at www.MitchellatRMP.com