Harriett Harton Findlay Wright

Harriett Wright (98), a resident of Birmingham since 1945, died Sept. 15, 2016. She was a native of Conway, Arkansas, born January 18, 1918 to Daniel O., Jr. and Hattie Gibbons Harton. She received a BA degree from Hendrix College in Conway and an MA from Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1940 she married Dr. D. O. Wright, who died in 1968. In 1986 she married John Findlay III, who died in 1995. Harriett was active in organizations that supported nature and ecology. She was a published nature photographer who gave hundreds of programs on birds and wild flowers for garden clubs and civic groups. She was a charter member of the Alabama Ornithological Society and served as president. She was also a member of the Blanche Dean Chapter of the Alabama Wildlife Society, the National Audubon Society and the Birmingham Audubon Society, which she served as president. Her backyard woods was a bird sanctuary for more than 60 years. She is survived by two nephews, Chris Spatz (Thea) and Harton Spatz (Nona Jo) of Conway, AR; three stepchildren, Jack Findlay (Lynne), Oak Forest, IL, Joanne Barfield (Jack), Pekin, IL, and Jane Glaze (John), Madison, WI. Her "Fabulous Five" caretakers brightened her final years. Her sister, Mary Spatz and another nephew, David Spatz, are deceased. Harriett was a member of Shades Valley Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be conducted by Dr. Taylor Todd at Ridout's Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood, AL, at 11 AM Tuesday, Sept. 20. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM. Burial will be private at Elmwood Cemetery. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to a nature organization or charity