(05/18/41 - 09/15/10) - 

Shirley Sue Smith Wright of Kent Washington passed away at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at the age of 69 years old.  She was born on May 18th 1941 in Paris, Kentucky to Robert and Evelyn Smith.

As a child Shirley loved to swim, play in the forest with her twin aunts Jean and Jane Smith, and collect dolls.  Her parents adopted an infant child they named Richard Smith, whom Shirley helped to raise.  Rick passed away approximately 2 years ago in Youngstown, Ohio.

Shirley's family moved to Chillicothe, Ohio where she graduated from high school.  Later she attended college at Anderson University in Indiana where she met her future husband Gerry Edgar Wright.  They married in 1961 and raised two children: daughter, Tammy Sue,  and son, Terry Allyn.

The family moved to Baden, Pennsylvania in 1971 where Shirley established a faithful, lifelong group of friends and became a volunteer for the local community council.  She loved to decorate her home and paint ceramics during this time.

In 1980 Shirley and her family moved to Youngstown, Ohio where she began working as a secretary for the Pameco Company.   She eventually worked her way up to Systems Manager.  In 1985 Shirley divorced her husband of 24 years and continued to live in Youngstown for 14 more years.

She made many new friends during a video dating venture she set up in her home.  Shirley loved to dance and gather with her closest friends and loved ones where they could mingle and laugh together.

Shirley and her daughter shared a close personal bond through their birthdays. Tammy was born one day before Shirley's 21st birthday.  They celebrated every birthday together with shared friends.  Shirley used to say Tammy was her birthday gift from heaven.

In 1999 not long after the birth of her granddaughter, Dana Montevideo, Shirley took residence in Kent, Washington.  She transferred with the Pameco Company and worked in the Seattle branch until 2003.  Later she took a position with Ben Bridge Jewelers of Seattle Washington.  After being diagnosed with heart disease, she had extensive open heart surgery.  Shirley moved in with her son in North Bend and lived there for two weeks before her passing peacefully with her children by her side.

Shirley was full of fun and loved life fully.  She left behind a beautiful legacy of photos and journals.  She loved to travel and went on her own if necessary.  She made friends easily and sustained them lifelong.

Survivors include her daughter Tammy Montevideo of Puyallup, WA,  her son Terry Wright of North Bend, WA and  her granddaughter, Dana Montevideo.

A memorial service was held Saturday, September 25th, 2010 at Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home and Crematory.   Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.flintofts.com .
The family suggests remembrances to the ''Make A Wish Foundation''  www.northwestwishes.org