Mary Wright

Her Irish eyes are smiling. I know a woman of strength, kindness and beauty. I have watched her for years - she's our mother, grandmother, granny, sister, aunt, godmother.

Mary E. "Lily" Wright, 94, of Wakefield, passed away November 4, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.  She was the wife of the late Captain Albert H. "Tod" Wright.  Born in Donegal, Ireland, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Theresa (Watson) Burke.

She is survived by her six children, Sarah "Tisha" Gauvin and her husband Jack, Thomas "Tommy" Wright and his partner Sue Wallace, Mary Terminesi and her late husband Albert "Rick" Terminesi, Patricia "Pat" Wright, Susan Ryan and her husband Michael, Ann Wright, goddaughter Gretchen Tingley (Carl) and a sister, Theresa Harkness (& late husband Charlie Harkness).  She was the sister of the late John Burke, Margaret O'Brien (Robert) and Thomas Burke (Betty).  She has eighteen grandchildren: Joel Hague (Nomi), Allison Hague (Mike), Derek Hague, Jared Hague (Amanda), Sean Wright, Tod Wright (Erica), Amanda O'Hara (JT), Adrianne "Kiki" DeLuca (Doug), Erica DeLuca, Al Terminesi (Laura), Mary Lois Terminesi, Frank Terminesi (Michelle), Katrina Terminesi (Chris), Todd Ryan (Meghan), Wade Ryan (Kristen), Jesse Ryan (Maggie) and gramma Lil to Ryan DeLuca & Ben DeLuca (Bianca). She was blessed with nineteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews in the States and Ireland & Scotland. 

Our mom was a woman of great faith in God and in others. Her capacity for love was boundless and her gratitude for all her blessings in life never faltered. During the last few weeks of her life, she said she was a lucky woman and thanked all her loved ones, visitors, and care givers for taking care of her. 

Many know of her journey: she grew up in Ireland the oldest of 5 whose parents died within weeks of each other when she was 7 years old. Though they were raised in separate homes, she remained close with her siblings. When mom was 18, her aunts sponsored her to come to Wayne, PA, USA. She began working for a wealthy family who summered in South Kingstown, RI at Shadow Farms. Through family connections, she met our dad and so began their love story. 

My mom always said, "I came from a beautiful place, and I live in a beautiful place." They made a life in Narragansett full of many memories. Their loving marriage lasted 26 years.  Mom's faith remained unshaken. She reminded all of us that our dad's death was not an end of his love for us or our love for him. He was with God and one day we would all be together again.

Our mom always persevered and found joy in working at the Christian Brother's Center, gardening, spending time with family and friends. Sundays were always church, visits to a few cemeteries for prayers, and an early dinner. Mom always kept a ten-dollar bill folded inside her white gloves in case she saw a person in need on our travels. On occasion it would go to a lemonade stand or the school car wash or the caretaker at the cemetery.

Our mom taught us so many life lessons without saying a word. She was a "doer". Like most moms, she could give us one look to let us know if we were heading in the wrong direction. When time began to wear heavy on her, mom still managed to lift us up with her smile.  Instead of saying "goodbye" she would say thank you. Now we say thank you, mom.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 14th from 4-7 pm in Avery-Storti funeral home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield, 02879. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, November 15th at 10 am in St. Veronica's Chapel, 1035 Boston Neck Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery, George Schaeffer St., Peace Dale. For guest book and condolences, please visit averystortifuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, her favorite charities are the Christian Brothers Center, 635 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882 (www.dlcb.org) (Give Now) (General Donation) and St. Thomas Moore Parish, 53 Rockland Street, Narragansett, RI 02882 (https://stthomasmoreri.org) (Faith Direct) (Memorial or One-Time Donation)

On behalf of our family, we would like to extend a very special thank you to the incredible nursing staff, doctors, hospice services, food services, and housekeeping at South County Hospital, 2nd floor.