Ms. Mary Lorene Wright Bastas

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, John Elmer Wright of Spur, Texas.

Survivors include her son, Justen Bastas of Grand Prairie; her parents, John and Connie Wright of Grand Prairie; her grandparents, Ben and Marion Lewark of Aledo; her aunts and uncles - Gordon and Paula Vess of White Settlement, Eddie and Melody Lewark of Weatherford, Ronny and Terri Collins of Mineral Wells, Gale Compton of Grand Prairie, Tina Schoonover of Pennyslvania, Tanya Featherstone of HEB, as well as numerous cousins, other family members and a great host of friends.

Lori came into this world weighing a whopping 9 lbs. 12 oz. and if John (Buddy as he is known to his family) and Connie thought that she made a big splash then, that was nothing compared to what the future held for them with this beautiful little girl with the big green eyes. Before Lori could roll over she had her Daddy wrapped around her little finger. The tough, and sometimes menacing-looking police officer was putty in her hands. Lori learned early that if Mama said no, talk to Daddy!

As she grew up, if Lori decided to collect something (like Cabbage Patch dolls, for instance), she wasn't satisfied until she had ALL of them. She got into sports and played a mean game of soccer with all of her heart. She also played basketball and was a cheerleader. Living all except the first years of her life in Grand Prairie, she collected friends much like she did her other collections; Lori had lots and lots of friends. That was evident the last day at the hospital when the waiting room and family room overflowed, as well as so many friends standing in the hallways.

Lori had a beautiful smile, an infectious sense of humor, and she loved to laugh. She had a quick wit and wasn't afraid to use it! I don't want to paint her as a saint because, like the rest of us, she wasn't. Lori didn't suffer fools easily. If you were doing something she thought was stupid, she didn't mind telling you so. She had her own opinion and she didn't mind sharing it. She loved to argue. If a person did not know of the deep love that she and her parents shared, you might think they were aruguing if you came upon them, but they were just trading barbs and trying to "one-up" each other!

Lori was so excited when her son Justen was born. She loved being a mother and loved Justen with all of her heart. He was her pride and her joy. When he was a toddler, learning and doing something new every minute, she would clap her hands and say "Yay Justen!" for each new accomplishment. Eventually, after seeing his Mom's reaction enough times, Justen would clap and say "Yay Justen" for himself when he did something new. Lori was so proud of Justen's accomplishments in sports, especially football, and his extraordinary abilities in water skiing with his grandparents, Craig and Rita. She wasn't even too surprised that he inherited her "daredevil" streak when he jumped off of a second story balcony and broke his leg, because someone "dared" him to do it!

Lori loved her friends and had a heart full of compassion for them. A life-long friend shared that she was there for him during the roughest period of his life and he and his mother are grateful to Lori for seeing him through that time. This is just one of many similar stories. Likewise, her friends were there for her during her struggles and all of you that know Lori, know that she stuggled mightily. She didn't win the battle, but she was never satisfied with her condition, and she fought it until the very end. Lori Bastas had courage, she was greatly loved, and she will be greatly missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home, Grand Prairie, TX.