Brenda Nagel Wright

Brenda Nagel Wright, born on October 6, 1939, passed away peacefully in Fort Worth, Texas on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2025, at the age of 86.

Born in Buffalo, New York to Edith Glatz Nagel and Raymond Henry Nagel, Brenda grew up in Kenmore, New York. She attended Kenmore High School and Penn State University and graduated from the University of Buffalo.

Brenda was an adventurous traveler in an era when few young women traveled throughout Europe on their own, including a trip behind the Iron Curtain in 1967 when she visited the then-U.S.S.R. She concluded that trip in Augsburg, Germany, where she taught school at a United States Army base and continued her travels throughout western Europe. While living in Germany, Brenda met her first husband, 2nd Lieutenant Alfred John Hughes, and the two married and moved to Connecticut, where Brenda received her master’s degree in special education at the University of Connecticut. They subsequently moved to Arlington, Texas, where Brenda taught until her retirement.

In July 1994, Brenda married William “Bill” Wright. She and Bill enjoyed their years together traveling around the country, going to the movies, engaging in various outdoor activities, dining out, and spending time with his two sons, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, all of whom looked to Brenda as a kind friend and stepmother. They also enjoyed walking together regularly and watching their two favorite football teams, Brenda’s Buffalo Bills and Bill’s Dallas Cowboys.

Brenda and Bill shared a wonderful marriage for over 22 years until his passing in December 2016. Brenda was a compassionate caregiver until the end, and her kindness and generosity of spirit made a lasting impact on her step-family, with whom she continued to share a close relationship.

Throughout her life, Brenda was a keen sportswoman, playing tennis and winning tournaments for decades, and was accomplished at golf and swimming. Until recently, she belonged to a local fitness center and took daily walks. She loved playing bridge and was an active member of the Arlington Bridge Studio as well as the Arlington Women’s Club. She had a deep appreciation for art and was a member of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, and enjoyed all of the New York museums when visiting her sister and beloved niece there.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond Nagel and Edith Nagel Schwartz; her second husband, Bill Wright; and stepson, Jeff Wright. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Reibel, and brother-in-law, Dr. James Reibel, of Greenwich, CT; her niece, Kate Reibel, of New York City; her brother, Ronald Nagel, and sister-in-law, Agnes Nagel, of the Philippines; her stepson, Jarrod Wright, stepdaughter-in-law, Cindy Wright, and step-granddaughter, Genevie Wright of Midlothian, TX; and dear friends.

A celebration of life and a reception will be held on Tuesday, December 16th at 1pm CST at Moore Funeral Home, 4216 S. Bowen Road, Arlington, TX 76016. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org/