Ruth Othilea Wright, 85, of Laramie, passed away Friday, December 18, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born March 25, 1935 in Pottstown, PA to Harold and Othilea (Ohrle) Watson. Ruth moved around in her childhood as her parents served in the Salvation Army. She attended Walton High School in the Bronx, NY. During this time she met her future husband, William Wright. After graduation she attended Katharine Gibbs College and received her Secretarial degree. She went on to work at a law firm in lower Manhattan while William was in flight training for the USAF.
After Bill’s graduation they married on May 26, 1956 in the Bronx, New York.
While Bill was serving in the Air Force, Ruth stayed home taking care of their home and children. After his retirement she worked for the City of Laramie Planning office until her retirement.
She was an excellent piano player and loved to play Bridge. She was also a member of many organizations and clubs, including The Order of the Eastern Star, Quadra Dangle Square Dance Club, President of the Officers Wives Club of Laramie, and President of the Laramie Bridge Club. She also enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels for many years.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, William H. “Bill” Wright; her children, William B. Wright, Jennifer A. Cross (Greg Mirelez), and Pamela M. McNew (Michael); her three grandchildren; her two great grandchildren; and her sister, Alice Conrath.
An Order of the Eastern Star Ceremony will be held for the public at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at the Masonic Lodge, 401 Ivinson St with refreshments to follow.
Ruth was always very kind and giving. I moved to another town in Wyoming but Bill and Ruth would always open up there house to me when I would return to Laramie to visit. As years went on, I would run into Ruth at the Planning Office and we would always have a nice conversation. It's amazing how fast life goes by, enjoy every minute. Condolences to Bill and the rest of the Wright Family and especially to Pam, my dear friend.
loved ruth. admired whole wright family. we worked together on several projects at the planning office. it took a long time to realize how much more effort ruth put in, than i did. she made the housing rehabilitation program i supposedly ran. without her extensive efforts to keep up with the billing, it would not have succeeded as it did. i sjould have been more attentive to her exceptional effort, and at this point can only acknowledge i let her carry weight i should have done. she also "assisted" me in other ways that made me seem far more competent than i was in fact. much of the success i may have had in that venue i now acknowledge as more attributable to her excellent efforts than my own.
Bill & family, our condolences for your loss. Ruth was a lovely friend & miss her very much, but glad she is at peace now.
Dear Bill, You and Ruth have always been special to me and my family. Ruth was such fun to be with, and I have missed seeing you two since moving to New Mexico. My condolences to you and your family. This dynamic woman will be sorely missed.
Dear Bill and your children and grandchildren! You and Ruth were so kind 7 years ago to help me move some of Jean Hager’s furniture into Spring Wind, and Jean (my Aunt) and I were so grateful. I felt like I have known you all my life since Jean and you two were such good friends to for so many years. We have not yet had Jean’s memorial yet and she passed March 22! When Covid is over, there will be many services. I was deeply saddened at the news of Ruth’s passing and then I thought,”oh, how nice that Jean has a great friend with her sometimes!”And that’s how I think of Ruth now: with family and friends. With deepest sympathy, Lesley Manring, Jean’s niece from CO