Sara Jeanne Wright

Jeanne was born on July 5, 1932, in Sugar City, ID to James Albert Munro and Josephine Cottle. She graduated from Sugar Salem High School in 1950. At 18 years old she moved to Othello/Pasco, WA with her sister, Beverly, and then to Seattle, WA with her sister Beth. In Seattle, she met Francis Roger Wright, also from Idaho. Jeanne and Roger grew up less than three miles from each other but had to travel nearly 800 miles before meeting. They married July 11, 1957, in the Idaho Falls, ID Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and started their life together in Seattle, WA. Roger and Jeanne lived in many places in WA: Seattle, Suquamish, Port Gamble, Poulsbo, and Spokane Valley; in Idaho: Parker, Rexburg, and Ashton. Their four daughters were all born in Seattle and call it home.

Jeanne loved music, particularly classical music, musical theater, and Frank Sinatra. She enjoyed watching ballet, studying fashion, and sewing beautiful clothes for herself and her daughters. In her glamorous 20’s, she moonlighted as a hair model. She was also a voracious reader, never without a book, and she valued education. Jeanne loved and supported her daughters and made sure they were able to pursue their interests and develop their talents. She passed her many enthusiasms down to her girls.

Jeanne began working as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone, then worked alongside Roger in various grocery/meat businesses before becoming an Administrative Secretary at Keyport Naval Base. Jeanne retired from Keyport in 1994.

Jeanne served in multiple capacities within her church: Ward Relief Society Presidencies, Primary Teacher and Young Women’s Leader, family history and temple worker, but Jeanne will always be remembered for combining her love of service and love of music by serving as a ward and Stake Choir Director, Stake Music Specialist, and Stake Music Librarian. Jeanne and Roger served a mission for the church in Manchester, England from 1996-1997, and met many wonderful people there.

Jeanne’s family and friends will remember her as a generous, friendly, and gracious woman, wife, and mother who opened her home and heart to many who needed shelter or love.

Jeanne is survived by her four daughters, Josephine Marcelis (Peter) of West Valley, UT, Lisa Braas (Van) of Spokane Valley, WA, Teresa Davis (Robert) of Spring Valley, CA, and Samantha Robertson (Colin) of Redmond, WA, her eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger, and her siblings Tressa Pearson, Beverly Heizer, James W. Munro, and Beth Munro.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 1 PM at the Bowdish ward building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Spokane Valley, WA (4014 South Bowdish Rd). There will be a graveside service at 2:30 PM at the Saltese Cemetery. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jeanne’s life.

The family would like to thank her many friends and family, and members of her RS Book Club, for their constant love and friendship. Many thanks and blessings to Life’s Journey AFH, Whisper Creek AFH, and Horizon Hospice for their compassionate care in her final years. Professional services conducted by Thornhill Valley Chapel in Spokane Valley, WA.