Colette Leonard Wright

Colette was named by her mother after the famous French writer and feminist, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. Colette and her family moved to Compiègne (France) at age 6 where she lived throughout her childhood and teenage years. She attended a private girl’s school and enjoyed an idyllic life growing up in Compiègne until the German invasion of France in 1940. Colette and her parents evacuated Compiègne for Southern France during the bombardment. The town of Compiègne was destroyed, decimating her family’s home and father’s successful mercantile business there. With characteristic French resolve, Colette’s father rebuilt their home and business in Compiègne upon their return.

During the liberation of Compiègne in 1944, Colette met a handsome American officer named Capt. Howard Wright. After three years of courtship across the seas, Howard brought his bride-to-be to America, where he and Colette were married in Charlotte, NC on November 5, 1947. Colette became a U.S. citizen on April 7, 1954.

Colette made many friends in the Charlotte area as a resident for over seven decades. She was a true French lady who adopted the Southern way of life. She lived a life hallmarked by art and style. Soft spoken and genuine, Colette never passed another soul without offering a smile, a nod, and a cheerful “Bonjour”. She had a great generosity of spirit and showed kindness always to those she encountered. In 1949, she and some other friends founded the Alliance Française of Charlotte. The goal of the organization was to share the French language and culture with others in Charlotte. In 2019, the Alliance celebrated its 70th anniversary, honoring Colette for her role in founding the organization.

Colette’s first husband, Howard, died in 1979. In the years that followed his death, Colette’s family was extended to further include that of Nick Speros of Memphis, TN and Charlotte, a gentle man who became her loving and devoted companion for 20 years until his death in September 2002. Colette was affectionately known and loved by Nick’s family and grandchildren throughout the last 40 years of her life.

Colette was a true lady who will be greatly missed by her family and the many friends and acquaintances who knew her. She is survived by her niece, Terry Wright Arnold, and her good friend and helper, Rebecca Jolly of Charlotte; her second family, Michael Speros and Carolyn Simonton of Memphis, TN, and their daughters, Kristina Hyde (Drew) and Alexis Powers (John) of Boulder, CO; Nick’s daughter, Sandra Speros Sandouk of Memphis; and her nephew Don and niece Caroline.

A special thank you is offered to Colette’s attentive group of Bayada caregivers, particularly Hassanatou Mamane, whose support and compassion greatly improved the quality of her life in her final years.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Forest Lawn West Cemetery in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Colette’s name may be made to the Alliance Française of Charlotte, PO Box 470156, Charlotte, NC 28247, or the charity of the donor’s choice.