Carmen Ilene Wright

Carmen “Tootie” Ilene Barr Wright, fondly known as the "Crazy Chicken Lady" on Mountain View Avenue, passed away on April 9, 2024, at her residence at the age of 94. Carmen was born on January 15, 1930, in Inavale, Nebraska to Daniel Webster and Carmen Clarissa (Dalrymple) Barr, and spent her early years in Longmont, Colorado, also residing in California for a period.

She received her education in Longmont and graduated from Longmont High School in the class of 1948. Following this, Carmen pursued higher education at the University of Denver before commencing her career as a stewardess with Western Airlines. On July 17, 1954, she married her childhood sweetheart, Kenneth Allen Wright, at Mission San Gabriel in California. Together, they shared a profound love that bore fruit in the form of six children: Daniel Harold (Sheri Davis), Kathryn Ann (Jeff Greenlee), James Allen, Donald Lee (Nancy), Susan Ilene (L.G. Willden), and Joan Marie (Jon Willden). Their union also blessed them with thirteen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, who will deeply miss their "Grandma Great."

Carmen's life was characterized by a spirit of service. Whether it was teaching English as a second language, volunteering, or baking pies for her grandchildren's fundraisers, Carmen was always ready and eager to lend a helping hand. She donated many hours of her time to the preservation of Longmont’s historical and cultural institutions, having served as a board member for both the St. Vrain Historical Society and the Longmont Museum. Pumpkin Pie Days will never be the same.

She delighted in reminiscing about her experiences in California, particularly her encounters with celebrities while her mother worked at the Santa Anita Race Track. She enjoyed watching classic Hollywood movies, playing cards, and lavishly celebrating Christmas and Easter to show her love. She will be remembered at Halloween for being the house that gave out full size Hershey bars. She had a green thumb for gardening, a soft spot for animals, and a knack for finding something kind to say about everyone.

Golfing kept her sane, and it’s our sincere hope that she’s out there on the course right now. She began golfing with the Sunset 9-Hole Women’s Golf Association and a short time later continued with the 18-Hole group at Sunset for forty-five years, playing team for a number of years. It was her wish not to be “good,” but rather to be “respectable.” She also served for several years on the City of Longmont’s Golf Advisory Board.

With her infectious humor, stubbornness, and occasional ornery streak, Carmen was not just a mother and grandmother; she was a cherished presence in the lives of all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her infant son James Allen and her husband Kenneth. She was a parishioner of St. John The Baptist Catholic Church.In her memory, we're raising funds for a memorial bench at Sunset Golf Course. In lieu of flowers, offerings can be made to https://gofundme/645207fd.

A rosary will take place Tuesday, April 16, at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, April 17 at 10:00 a.m. Both will take place at Ahlberg's Funeral Chapel in Longmont. Burial will take place at Mountain View Cemetery.