Jean Faye Cannon Wright

Jean Wright, 85, of Naples, Florida and formerly of West Springfield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully and quietly on January 2, 2019, after a battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born August 5, 1933, in Springfield, Massachusetts to Carroll and Mona (McLean) Cannon. She graduated from Classical High School and received a degree in business from American International College, both in Springfield.

She married Edward “Ned” Wright on June 5, 1954, and worked for many years alongside him in the family business, John R. Lyman Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts, before retiring to Marco Island, Florida in 1994. She also volunteered with many organizations, including serving as an election official and on the PTA at several West Springfield schools. She was also involved with the West Springfield Lions Club, the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the Marco Island Newcomers and the Just Friends Club.

Jean loved flowers of all kinds and the gardens at all of her homes beautifully reflected her green thumb. She was a skilled seamstress, sewing everything from clothing to curtains. She was also very talented at textile and fiber arts, knitting and crocheting many sweaters, mittens and baby blankets, and producing many needlepoint and cross stitch projects that she gifted to family and friends over the years. Those who knew her well describe Jean as a firecracker, feisty, spunky, gutsy, a dynamo, colorful, one-of-a-kind, fun loving, and an overall great lady. She was a strong woman who overcame many hardships in life, but still managed to live life to the fullest with a loving heart and a generous spirit. She was very welcoming and friendly. The parties at 6 Upper Beverly were notorious, and the large groups she hosted at the beach houses in Point-O-Woods and Groton Long Point were a testament to her boundless energy as well as to her skill in the kitchen. Her zest for life, her selfless devotion to those close to her, and her deep and abiding love for her family and friends will be forever cherished.

She is survived by her husband, Ned, her three children Joanne Wolfe (Dean), William “Bill” Wright (Anita) and Carole Halvorsen (Roger), her four grandchildren Colleen Wolfe, Amanda Halvorsen, Allie Wolfe McGrimley (Sean) and Jeffrey Halvorsen, and her sister, Arlene Munro. She was predeceased by her beloved grandson, Craig Wright, and her brother Russell Cannon.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Naples, Florida. Donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).