Martha L. (Riecken) Wright, 84, passed away Monday, January 7, 2008, in South Pasadena, Florida.
Martha was born in Evansville, Indiana, the daughter of George and Fannie Riecken. She graduated from Bosse High School in Evansville. Martha attended Ohio State University and served in the United States Navy as a WAVE during World War II in communications and was stationed at Puget Sound and San Diego, CA. Martha was proud to be registered in the Women in Service Memorial in Washington, D.C. It was at Ft. Bragg that she met her husband, Emerson Wright, an officer in the United States Army. After his sudden death at an early age, Martha raised their two girls alone in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
While in Ft. Lauderdale, Martha was active in the Broward County Florida Girl Scouts taking leadership roles, including Camp Director and Director of Cookie Sales. Martha was artistic and displayed her unique talents in making personalized garments and designer draperies and furniture coverings. In her later years, she taught herself to use a computer and designed greeting cards and wrote a newsletter for her brother Carl's family business.
The last several years of her life, Martha volunteered many hours at the Palms of Pasadena Hospital in Pasadena, FL. Martha enjoyed spending time at the beach in Passe Grille, FL with her family and good friends, Billy Moore and Lucille Moore. Martha never let the health challenges that plagued over half her life deter her from her love of living. Until the day she died, Martha had a book always at hand, an avid reader, a lover of romance, with adventure in her heart.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, George and Fannie Riecken, her brother Carl Riecken and her husband, Emerson Wright.
She is survived by her daughters, Candace Sheehan of Atlanta, GA, and Carla Wright of Passe Grille, FL; brother, Ron Riecken of Evansville, IN; good friend and honorary third daughter, Joan Walker of Passe Grille, FL; granddaughters, Amanda and Susanne Walton of Atlanta, GA; and nieces, Julia Langerak and Katie Riecken of Evansville, IN.
A Memorial Service will be held in
Tierra Verde, Florida, for family and friends.
