Edith Wright

Edith was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Ellen Virginia Sion, Mary Wright, Josephine Wright, Mabel Wyatt and brothers Edwin J. Wright and William Wright. She (Aunt Edie) is survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved.

Edith had a distinguished career in professional nursing, focusing primarily on Community Health Nursing and Nursing Administration. After graduating from Santa Rosa School of Nursing, San Antonio, Texas, she attended George Peabody College with an emphasis on Public Health Nursing. Edith earned a Bachelor of Science from Incarnate Word College and attended the University of Michigan, School of Public Health. She earned a Master of Science from Western Reserve University and did postgraduate work at the University of Texas, School of Public Health.

During her 23 year tenure at Texas Woman’s University, Houston Center, Edith developed and implemented several graduate programs: Family Nurse Clinician, Community Health Nursing, and the Nursing Administration Program. In addition to teaching, she served in several administrative positions at Texas Woman’s University: Acting Assistant Dean, College of Nursing; Acting Assistant to the President for the Houston Center, and Graduate Program Coordinator.

Edith was very active in professional organizations and was involved in the community during her professional career. She held both appointed and elected positions at the local, state, and national level of the American Nurses Association, Public Health Nursing Division, and American Public Health Association. She served on the boards of both the American Lung Association and the American Public Health Association.

In 1978, Edith participated in a White House Conference on Hospital Cost Containment, called by President Carter. In 1981, she was selected as one of four nurses in the United States by the China Board of New York to assess nursing education and service programs for the People’s Republic of China. In 1986, she was selected an outstanding Houston Professional Woman by the Federation of Houston Professional Women.

After retiring in 1987, Edith turned her energies toward church ministries at Holy Family Church, Missouri City, where she had been a parishioner since 1976. For several years she served as a Eucharistic Minister, bringing Eucharist to the sick/homebound. She was a member of the RCIA team, and she helped to establish the Bereavement Ministry for the parish. After completing the Spiritual Direction Institute program at the Cenacle Retreat House, Houston, she coordinated group prayer sessions and facilitated other spiritual endeavors. She also served on the Parish Council. She was an active member of the Theresians Fifth Dimension, Houston and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Visitation will be held from 6 pm to 9 pm on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at Earthman Funeral Home located at 12555 South Kirkwood, Stafford, Texas with a Vigil and Rosary presided by Deacon Bill Seifert at 7:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Ken Decker C.S.B. and Rev. Sunny Joseph O.S.H. at 10:30 am on Thursday, June 27, 2013, at Holy Family Catholic Church located at 1510 5th Street, Missouri City, Texas. Interment will follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, located at 12800 Westheimer, Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Holy Family Church.