Mae Ellen (Prior) Wright
Mae Ellen (Prior) Wright
Mae Ellen (Prior) Wright was born to Fern C. and Charles R.
Prior on February 22, 1927 in Hazelton, Idaho and was reunited with her beloved
husband on January 8, 2017.
Mae Ellen grew up on a homestead near Murtaugh, Idaho. In later
years she spoke fondly of her childhood on a farm; her father's infectious
curiosity for all things in the natural world; and her mother's proud Scottish
heritage. She especially treasured memories of time spent with her paternal
Grandmother, Olga Prior, and her maternal Grandmother, Mae Allen Cameron
.
In her youth Mae Ellen attended school in Hansen, graduated from
Twin Falls High School, studied liberal arts at ISU in Pocatello, worked at
Bertha Camel's Dress Shop in Twin Falls, and served as Gooding County reporter
for the Twin Falls Times News.
In 1945 Mae Ellen quite literally married the boy next door
-
Eugene
B. Wright- while he was on temporary leave from the Army. When Gene returned
home after WWII, they lived in Gooding, Idaho; marking the beginning of a
blessed 57-year union that produced 4 daughters and eventually, 5 grandchildren
and 10 great grandchildren.
In 1958 Mae Ellen and Gene moved their family to Boise and
within a few years they purchased a small business where Mae Ellen became the
bookkeeper. During the 1960's they also raised and sold basset hounds
.
In
the 1970's Mae Ellen began a long and successful career with Avon Corporation.
Aside from an abiding love of family Mae Ellen also cherished
her many connections with animals; especially dogs. Her canine friends played a
prominent role in her life providing a constant source of comfort and amusement
.
True
to her nature Mae Ellen expanded her pet menagerie over time and through the
decades she cared for variety of creatures including a cockatoo, parakeets, a
chameleon, an iguana, and many exotic tropical fish.
A staunch Democrat, Mae Ellen always stayed abreast of current
events; relishing every opportunity to engage in a political debate
.
She
viewed voting as a moral obligation. Most recently she participated as a
representative on the resident council where she lived at Genesis Health Care
Center in Meridian.
As the last chapter of her life began with the death of her
husband in 2002, Mae Ellen overlooked advancing arthritis, travelled to Alaska,
vacationed in Maui, visited Glendale, California where she had briefly lived as
a child and eventually slowed her pace, settling in to an assisted living
center.
At a recent holiday gathering Mae Ellen reflected joyfully on
her life's work and legacy. In the fullness of the moment and speaking from the
heart
,
she said, "I mostly want to be remembered for raising a
family because my children are my greatest accomplishment
.
"
Mae Ellen is survived by 4 daughters - Lynn Munson (Joe), Kaye
Hughes (Chuck, deceased), Faye Zamzow (Jim), all of Boise and Vicki Wright
(Jami Seibel) of Caldwell; a sister, Bula Daw (Kenneth) of Hansen; 5
grandchildren- Terry Waltman, Jos Zamzow (Deana), Callie Zamzow (Clint Scott),
Ryan Munson (Vicki), and Vince Cedillo (Alexandria); 3 nephews (Kurt Daw
(Hillary), Kris Daw (Shawnee) and Craig Daw (Linda); and 10 great
grandchildren. Preceding Mae Ellen in death were her parents, her husband,
Eugene, her son-in-law, Chuck Hughes and her nephew, CA Daw.
A graveside service will be held in Twin Falls.
I
n
lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Mae Ellen's name to the Idaho
Humane Society- 4775 Dorman Street, Boise, Idaho 83705.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mae Ellen (Prior) Wright, please visit our flower store.
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