Eleanor Joann Wright

On June 12, 1929, near Weiser, Idaho,
Eleanor “Jo Ann” Wright came kicking
and screaming into this world. She was
the sixth child of her parents, Shirley and Gladys Adams.
She passed away peacefully on June 30, 2016, in
Walla Walla.
In 1936, the family moved to Walla Walla where Jo
Ann attended Sharpstein and Prospect Point schools,
and Walla Walla High School. Her first real job was
an elevator operator at the Marcus Whitman Hotel.
She always said that business was up and down. One
day the elevator door opened and Shirley Temple
stepped in; Jo Ann said she was so nervous she didn’t
utter a syllable.
In 1952, she began working for Pacific Northwest
Bell where she spent her next 35 years until she retired
in 1987. In October 1962, Jo Ann married Donald
D. Wright. Don died in April 1993.
Jo Ann was an avid Seattle Mariners fan and always
rooted against the New York Yankees and the
Los Angeles Angels. She enjoyed traveling with Don,
walking her dog, going to movies and gathering with
friends.
Jo Ann was the last survivor of six siblings who included
sisters, Doris Savaria and Ruthe Bartlett, and
three brothers, Merrill Adams, Kenneth Adams and
Robert Adams.
Her survivors include nieces, Darla Adams of Dalton,
Minn., Mara Jackson of West Richland, Dawn Marie
King of Kimberly, Idaho, Shirley Messa of Frankfort,
N.Y., and Lynne Rice of Richland; nephews, Gary Adams
of Ashby, Minn., Merlin Adams of Blaine, Minn.,
Steve Adams of Spokane, and Scot Savaria of Boise.
She is also survived by the Telephone Pioneers, a
group of long-time friends from her telephone company
employment years.
She requested donations be made in her memory to
the Make a Wish Foundation, the Blue Mountain Humane
Society, the American Diabetes Association or
the charity of choice thru the Herring Groseclose Funeral
Home. Viewing will be held on Friday, July 8, 4
p.m. to 7 p.m., at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.
Jo Ann’s graveside service is planned for Saturday,
July 9, 10 a.m., at Mountain View Cemetery.