On Friday, April 12, 2019, Nancy Jane Wright passed away peacefully in her sleep while at home. She was born in Chehalis, Wash., Aug. 19, 1929, the daughter of Esther and John Autio.
Nancy had one brother, Dick Autio. They lived in South Bend, Wash., before moving to Chehalis, Wash., where Nancy graduated from Chehalis High School as an honor student. She was very active in many activities from the International Order of the Rainbow Girls to planning school dances and hosting various social events. Nancy attended Centralia Junior College before transferring to then Washington State College, where she graduated with a degree in home economics in 1953.
Post graduation, Nancy found herself at Oregon State College in Corvallis, Ore., working as a county extension agent at large, where she consulted with farm women and home economic clubs.
On a blind date, Nancy met Wayne Wright and they married Dec. 3, 1955, in Chehalis, which marked the beginning of a 63 year marriage. Nancy and Wayne welcomed four children into their family, Vicki, Gary, Roger and Wendy.
While juggling their large family, Nancy went back to school and earned her teaching degree. She taught first grade with the Spokane School District until her retirement in 1990. She made an impression on many children, many of whom have stayed in contact over the years. She was an extremely talented seamstress, tailor, quilt maker, cook, baker and gardener. Anyone who had her superior chocolate chip cookies would crave them forever.
Nancy’s smile and
laughter were contagious.
People enjoyed being
around her because of her
well-natured demeanor.
