NATICK: Rita Mary (McFarland) Wright 91, a long-time resident of Natick, passed away on February 8, 2015 after a period of declining health.
She was born in 1923 in Dorchester to Frank and Lillian (Kelley) McFarland. Her mother died when she was two, after which she and her sister were raised by the Mahoney family in North Quincy, while their father continued to live and work in Boston. Growing up, she took lessons in almost everything and became an excellent pianist and sight reader. She graduated from North Quincy High School in 1941. During the war years, she continued her education and graduated from Simmons College in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She taught Home Economics in Petersham for two years before returning to the Quincy school system to teach.
In 1949, she met David J. Wright, and they were married in July of 1950 at Sacred Heart Church in Quincy. Shortly after the birth of their first child in June of 1951, they moved to Natick, to a house overlooking Lake Cochituate, where she has lived ever since. David and Rita had six children and watched them grow and prosper in the Natick School System and beyond. Because of her own strong educational background, she provided a home where books, learning, and music were highly valued. She encouraged music in her children, each of whom had to learn to play an instrument. She formed the “Not Quite Wright Band” and a recorder consort for special occasions. She was a member of St. Zepherin Catholic Church (now Good Shepherd Parish) and was a pillar of the alto section of the church choir.
Along the way, she brought the family into 4-H Club work. The local club specialized in bee keeping, and the house was redolent with the smell of honey. She always thought holidays should be celebrated on a large scale, and her Thanksgivings and Christmases are still emulated by her children but never equaled. She was well-known for her cooking, a legacy that has been passed on to her family. Being Irish, she was a woman of welcome. Her motto was ‘always room for one more’, and her children brought her guests from Kenya to Japan and all points in between.
After the death of her husband in 1991, her son Bruce and his family came to live with her, and she was able to watch some of her grandchildren grow up. During her periods of ill health, the presence of her family permitted her to remain in her own home.
She leaves behind six children: Fr. Frank Wright SMA of Takoma Park, MD, Bruce and Maryellen Wright of Natick, Roy and Odessa Wright of Dallas, TX, Neil and Sue Wright of North Waterboro, ME, Ann and Paul Calcaterra of Fitchburg, MA, and Glen Wright and his wife Susan Mampre of Rutland, MA. Her grandchildren include Katherine Wright, Meghann and Lee Rothgeb, Liam and Ann Wright, Siobhan Wright, Lillian Calcaterra, Antonia Calcaterra, and Anayis Wright. Her great-grandchildren include Keenan Wright and Jacob Rothgeb. In addition, she is survived by her brother- and sisters-in-law Catherine Grandia, Sally Wright, George Wright, and Carol Putnam. She was pre-deceased by her husband David J. Wright after 41 years of marriage, and her sister Jeanne McFarland. She also leaves behind numerous neighbors and close friends who will miss her greatly.
Visitiations will be held on Friday, February 13, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Rte 30), Wayland.
Family and friends are invited to Rita’s Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:00 o’clock at Good Shepherd Parish at St. Zepherin’s Church, 99 Main Street (Rte 27), Wayland.
Interment will follow in the Wright family lot in Dell Park Cemetery in Natick.
In lieu of flowers, her family suggests gifts in Rita’s memory may be sent to the SMA Lay Missionaries, 256 Manor Circle. Takoma Park, MD 20912.
She was born in 1923 in Dorchester to Frank and Lillian (Kelley) McFarland. Her mother died when she was two, after which she and her sister were raised by the Mahoney family in North Quincy, while their father continued to live and work in Boston. Growing up, she took lessons in almost everything and became an excellent pianist and sight reader. She graduated from North Quincy High School in 1941. During the war years, she continued her education and graduated from Simmons College in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She taught Home Economics in Petersham for two years before returning to the Quincy school system to teach.
In 1949, she met David J. Wright, and they were married in July of 1950 at Sacred Heart Church in Quincy. Shortly after the birth of their first child in June of 1951, they moved to Natick, to a house overlooking Lake Cochituate, where she has lived ever since. David and Rita had six children and watched them grow and prosper in the Natick School System and beyond. Because of her own strong educational background, she provided a home where books, learning, and music were highly valued. She encouraged music in her children, each of whom had to learn to play an instrument. She formed the “Not Quite Wright Band” and a recorder consort for special occasions. She was a member of St. Zepherin Catholic Church (now Good Shepherd Parish) and was a pillar of the alto section of the church choir.
Along the way, she brought the family into 4-H Club work. The local club specialized in bee keeping, and the house was redolent with the smell of honey. She always thought holidays should be celebrated on a large scale, and her Thanksgivings and Christmases are still emulated by her children but never equaled. She was well-known for her cooking, a legacy that has been passed on to her family. Being Irish, she was a woman of welcome. Her motto was ‘always room for one more’, and her children brought her guests from Kenya to Japan and all points in between.
After the death of her husband in 1991, her son Bruce and his family came to live with her, and she was able to watch some of her grandchildren grow up. During her periods of ill health, the presence of her family permitted her to remain in her own home.
She leaves behind six children: Fr. Frank Wright SMA of Takoma Park, MD, Bruce and Maryellen Wright of Natick, Roy and Odessa Wright of Dallas, TX, Neil and Sue Wright of North Waterboro, ME, Ann and Paul Calcaterra of Fitchburg, MA, and Glen Wright and his wife Susan Mampre of Rutland, MA. Her grandchildren include Katherine Wright, Meghann and Lee Rothgeb, Liam and Ann Wright, Siobhan Wright, Lillian Calcaterra, Antonia Calcaterra, and Anayis Wright. Her great-grandchildren include Keenan Wright and Jacob Rothgeb. In addition, she is survived by her brother- and sisters-in-law Catherine Grandia, Sally Wright, George Wright, and Carol Putnam. She was pre-deceased by her husband David J. Wright after 41 years of marriage, and her sister Jeanne McFarland. She also leaves behind numerous neighbors and close friends who will miss her greatly.
Visitiations will be held on Friday, February 13, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Rte 30), Wayland.
Family and friends are invited to Rita’s Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:00 o’clock at Good Shepherd Parish at St. Zepherin’s Church, 99 Main Street (Rte 27), Wayland.
Interment will follow in the Wright family lot in Dell Park Cemetery in Natick.
In lieu of flowers, her family suggests gifts in Rita’s memory may be sent to the SMA Lay Missionaries, 256 Manor Circle. Takoma Park, MD 20912.
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