Virginia Grace St. Clair Wright

Jinny was born Virginia Grace St. Clair Thomas on March 27, 1936, in Snitterfield, Warwickshire, England to Reverend Kenneth and Lucy Thomas; a younger sister to Isobel and Mark. Growing up in wartime Britain taught her many significant life lessons about coping with adversity, giving from the heart and contributing to the common good which she practiced throughout her life. Despite the influence of her parents and older sister who were teachers, Jinny characteristically forged her own career path into pediatric nursing through her training and employment at the Radcliffe Infirmary and Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was during her time at Great Ormond Street that she took a random shift at night on the Casualty (Emergency) Ward and met her future husband, Derek, who was brought in following a car accident. From this chance encounter a nearly 64-year marriage was created. Derek and Jinny welcomed their first son Matthew in 1962 in Newcastle and their second son, James in 1964 in High Wycombe. The small family emigrated to Canada in 1967 living in initially in Montreal, followed by Toronto and then Vancouver to follow Derek’s career progression. After Derek left BC Hydro, Jinny and Derek lived and worked in in Kansas City, Indonesia, and New Zealand before retiring to Brentwood Bay in 1991. Derek and Jinny lived an idyllic life on Vancouver Island until their health precluded them from living so far from family and brought them to Surrey in 2019. Most recently, Jinny lived at Ellen Sinclair Kennett Lodge.

Jinny is predeceased by her parents (Kenneth and Lucy Thomas), sister (Isobel Bazire), brother (Mark Thomas), husband (Derek Wright) and sister-in-law (Diane Ludlow). She is survived by her sons, Matthew (Monika) and James (Kathleen); grandchildren Brendan (Samantha), Madeleine (David), Declan and Caedmon.

Jinny was a spirited, fun-loving, kind, and generous woman. Devoted to her family, she created a home of warmth, restfulness, and rejuvenation for all. Her deep faith sustained her throughout her life and provided many opportunities for service as warden, Sunday School teacher and choir member. Her lifelong love of music encouraged her sons and provided multiple experiences with local and church choirs. Amongst her favorite memories were her participation in the choirs at the Opening Ceremonies of the Auckland and Victoria Commonwealth Games. Her independent and gregarious spirit created many long-lasting friendships across Canada and the World. Over time, Jinny introduced many of her English family members to Canada and Canadians and her love of both.

Jinny’s overarching ideals of pulling together and participating with a full heart were defining elements of her character. Despite the eyerolls that these created at the time, in her then teenage sons, we cannot disagree with their significance.

We are deeply grateful to the staff and community of Ellen Sinclair Kennett Lodge for the care and security they provided for Jinny over the past year. We would also like to commend Dr. Fiona O’Brian for her care of and compassion for Jinny during her final years.

We will be holding a celebration of her life, along with that of her husband Derek Rowland Wright who passed in July 2023, at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Royal Oak, 4733 West Saanich Road, Victoria BC, V8Z 3G9 on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM. All are welcome to attend.

Donations to either the Alzheimer’s Society of BC, or flowers at the celebration of their lives are welcomed.