She was 71, a native of Gastonia, NC and a resident of Orlando, Florida. She was a graduate of Gaston College.
Cathy passed away on July 21, 2020. She is survived by her daughter Shari Wright-Smith, son Andy Wright both of Orlando, Florida; numerous friends, neighbors and loved ones. Preceded in death by her husband James Edward Wright, her Parents, Fred Junior Roland, and Carrie Mae Ray.
Nursing was Cathy’s first passion both as an Emergency Department nurse and then as House Supervisor. She loved to help others, a consummate patient advocate and support for her fellow nurses. Cathy touched many lives in her career in healthcare and was much loved, making lifelong friends.
After retirement, Cathy worked tirelessly with her Homeowners Association, through improvements, parties, and neighborhood events. Not only did she help advance her neighborhood, she helped create real community. Developing not only enduring friendships for herself but encouraging and supporting the growth of close relationships between all her neighbors.
On July 8th of 2020, The Hidden Beach Homeowners honored her years of passion and work, by naming her Secretary Emeritus as well as renaming the community center for her. This was one of the proudest moments in her life, she was filled with tears of love and joy.
Cathy drew much strength from her walk with her Lord. Learning and sharing with her fellow Bible Study members, who became a close-knit family. Always with a smile and devotion to the Word, Cathy was a veritable Spiritual Warrior in her faith.
Her husband Jim was the love of her life. They moved their family to Florida, from North Carolina in 1985 to support his dream in working at the Kennedy Space Center. Together they built a new life in Orlando, Florida. Often off on many happy adventures to Jamaica, Hawaii, and Las Vegas they were inseparable. It was her fondest desire in her last moments to be reunited with her love again.
Visitation will be held at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home in Winter Garden, Florida on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 2:00 pm. Services will follow at 3:00 pm. Officiated by Paul Williamson. Visitation to follow in Gastonia, N.C. from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM on Tuesday July 28, 2020 at Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park, 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia. Graveside Service and Burial will follow at Armstrong Cemetery, officiated By David Payseur.
The Family requests that in lieu of flowers in Orlando, donations be made to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, 718-987-1931.
Baldwin Fairchild and Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park are honored to serve the Wright Family.
