Helen Everett Milne Wright, a resident of Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads, died on December 11, 2018 aged 89. She was born in Scotland, the oldest of three girls. She graduated from Rutherglen Academy, Glasgow University, and Jordan Hill Teacher Training College. She taught in elementary schools in Scotland, England, and Germany.
Helen moved to Arlington, Virginia in1966 with her two children and husband due to his employment in Washington, D.C, with the International Monetary Fund. Unable to work in the United States because of her G4 visa status, she devoted her talents to raising a family and helping others, inspiring her children to pursue careers in public service. Helen was a volunteer teacher of English as a second language in Arlington County schools for several years, helping fellow immigrants from other cultures. She was an active member of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church for many years -- her activities there included teaching Sunday school, serving as superintendent of the junior Sunday school, and serving on the committee on leisure. Helen was an active member of the Association of American University Women and of its French conversation group. She was never without a sewing project including knitting, mending clothes for others, rug making, and quilting. Helen assisted at the Arlington County Fair for several years, mainly with the art needlework section. As a precursor to the current debate about “dreamers”, she initiated a coalition which advocated successfully for reform of immigration laws that prevented children of employees of international organizations from working in the United States even though they entered the country legally and received their education in the US.
In her fifties, Helen was proud to have returned to school and graduated from Northern Virginia Community College summa cum laude. She was also a medal winning ball room dancer and an avid reader. Her many activities were cut short by Alzheimer’s disease which she endured courageously for many years. She is survived by her husband, daughter, son, three grandchildren, and a sister. Helen Wright was a gentle, caring, loving lady who will be sorely missed.
A memorial service will be held at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroad at 3pm on January 11. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Doctors Without Borders.
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