Joan M. Wright of Pendleton died on Sept. 17, 2019 in Hermiston at the age of 76.
She was born on July 21, 1943 in Tacoma, Wash. to Henry Sr. and Verna Hawley High.
Joan was raised in Tacoma, Wash. with her siblings, Henry Jr., Joy, Peggy and Allen. After high school she moved to Portland, where she married Delbert Smeltzer in 1964. They had three children, Jeanne, Chad and Julia. Joan worked in banking in Portland and La Grande, and later in the accounting office at Boise Cascade in Elgin. She later worked for Parks Bronze Foundry in Enterprise, and later for Highline Homes in home health care in Sumner, Wash.
Joan enjoyed reading, camping and hunting. She could play a mean game of pool and always beat her children in Monopoly. Joan moved back to Tacoma, Wash. where she met Clyde Wright, and they were married on Sept. 6, 1997. They lived in Sumner, Wash. until 2005, when they moved to Pendleton to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren. While in Pendleton she enjoyed retirement by watching her grandchildren grow, painting, drawing, coloring, family trips, country drives and making new friends through her local church, Free Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Clyde Wright, Pendleton; daughters, Jeanne Huffman, Pendleton and Julia Wilson, Bend; sister, Joy Schwesinger, Washington; brother, Allen High, Missouri; grandchildren, Morgan, Sonora, Haylie, Tyler, Jordyn, Dupree and Calvin; two great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; son, Chad Smeltzer; brother, Henry; and a sister, Peggy.
A private family gathering will be held.
Please share memories of Joan with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
