Rebecca Frances Wright

Frances Rebecca Wright, 90, of Walla Walla, died Saturday night at her home. Born Aug. 11, 1926, in Tenino, Washington, of parents George and Mabel Smith. She attended grade school at the historic Louden school house and graduated from Prosser High School in 1944. Frances met the love of her life while working on her father’s farm in Horse Heaven country south of Prosser. In 1939 her father started cultivating about 7,000 acres of former sage brush for dry land wheat farming, where Frances and her sisters worked in the mobile cook house feeding the hired men. It was here that she meets John R. Wright of Coggon, Iowa. After John and Frances got married on Oct. 6, 1947, she and John moved to Greeley, Colorado. They lived at various locations throughout their life. From farming in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to running a resort at North Long Lake Lodge in Brainerd, Minnesota. Eventually they returned to the northwest and took up roots in Dayton before finally moving to Walla Walla in 1968.

Frances was well known among family and friends for her love of photography and her drawing talents. She had an affection for animals and bird watching. She often spoke of her and John’s grand adventures traveling across America in their motorhome after John retired. She was affectionately known by all as Tata.

Frances is preceded in death by her husband, John, on Sept. 2011. Also, preceded in death by her brothers, George A. Smith of Tulelake, CA; Elmer Smith of Bonners Ferry, ID., and sisters, Mrs. Vernon (Marguerite) Ballard of Milton-Freewater; Mrs. Joe (Lilly) Figgins of Bonners Ferry, ID; Mrs. Jerry (Grace) Jesse of Walla Walla. Survivors include her sisters, Mrs. Robert (Louise) Andrews of Prosser; Mrs. Lavonne Reser of Walla Walla; and Mrs. Douglas (Shari) Richmond of Walla Walla. She is also survived by and dearly loved by numerous nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, with a graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery in the Spring of 2017. Memorial contributions can be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book at www.herringgroseclose.com.