Velna Martha Wright, age 87, of Prineville, Oregon passed away on Wednesday, September 12, 2018. Velna was born September 27, 1930 in Portland, Oregon to Elsie and Henry Hamman. She was one of six children. Velna spent her childhood enjoying the beautiful Sauvies Island. Living on a dairy farm meant Velna was helping out the family at a young age. When she wasn't working on the farm she was attending grade school on the island then she attended Scappoose High School.
In 1946 Velna and her parents moved to Hillsboro, Oregon where she graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1948. As a graduation present her parents took her on a trip across the United States and into parts of Canada and Mexico. Part of this trip was spent in Kansas visiting family. It was during this visit that Velna and Alden Wright shared their first date. The two had met when they were only young children and had kept in touch writing letters. In 1950 the couple married in Portland. Over the years they welcomed three children into their home.
To Velna, family was everything. She embraced motherhood and spent her life tending to the family and their home. She was a strong matriarch; holding everything together. Her Christian faith carried her through life and she made sure to pass down these important values to her children.
Velna was a member of a local bowling league and she and Alden of the Portland Promenaders Square Dance Club. She also loved fishing; some of her fondest memories were on the banks of the Columbia River fishing for salmon. Time spent with family was the best time though. The family had their annual traditions; from deer hunting to a large family reunion. A "small" reunion consisted of 81 people. This was a time for family from all over to come together to visit, eat, and have fun.
Velna is survived by; daughter Kathi Linhares; son-in-law Mike Linhares; son Jim Wright; daughter-in-law Brenda Wright; son Russ Wright; and daughter-in-law Nancy Wright ; granddaughter Carmine Jones-Gifford, grandson Brad Wright, grandson Scott Linhares; granddaughter Nicole Phipps, granddaughter Marti Strohmeyer; granddaughter Michelle Foley and granddaughter Kristen Wright. Velna also leaves 12 great grandchildren to cherish her memory.
Velna was preceded in death by her spouse Alden D. Wright; mother Elsie Hamman; father Henry Hamman and all of her siblings.
Velna would want to be remembered for her strong faith and for her love and commitment to family. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her loved ones and she will truly be missed.
A visitation for Velna will be held Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 1:00 PM at Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR 97229. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Velna's memory may be made to Hospice of Redmond, 732 SW 23rd St, Redmond, Oregon 97756 US, www.redmondhospice.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com for the Wright family.
