Joan Wright

JOAN WRIGHT of North Little Rock passed away peacefully the morning of June 1. She was born in 1930 in Bristol, Va., to Oren and Dorothy Totten. Oren and Dorothy migrated with six month old Joanie at the beginning of the great depression to start a new life in Southern California. Oren worked his way up as a Union Oil man and Dorothy created a loving home with very little. Joanie grew up much cherished and inspired by her mother's love and cultivation of beauty. She became an artist and got her Masters Degree in art education from Long Beach State University. Shortly after beginning her teaching career, she met and fell in love with a striking baritone player, Robert Wright, who was a member of the band at a nearby Marine Corps air base. They were married on Aug. 29, 1954 in Sierra Madre, Calif., in the garden of Joanie's aunt. Robert then went on to earn his Masters and Phd in plant biology while Joanie worked helping to put hubby through (PHT). Their first child, Marshall was born in 1956. Joanie stopped teaching and focused her attention on creating a loving and nurturing home for her growing family. Their second child, Karen was born in 1964. Joanie was a true "Home Maker." She canned and froze every conceivable vegetable that came out of Robert's burgeoning garden, sewed entire wardrobes for Karen and her dolls, was always coming up with creative projects for both her children, and taught the value of "blooming where you're planted." In 1979, the family moved to Arkansas, where Robert chaired the Biology Department at UCA. Joan became the den mother for all of Karen's high school friends and welcomed a foreign exchange daughter, Akiko Ito from Japan. Joanie was involved in many pursuits and passions. She volunteered running an art mobile, taught numerous crafts at the local Y, taught in adult literacy programs and was always creating art. After the kids were up and out on their own, Joanie went back to earn another Masters in Library Science at UCA. She enjoyed a second career as a research librarian for the Arkansas Department of Education. Joanie was a loved and valued member of several Christian Science churches where she lived, including the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Sherwood. She would often quote Mary Baker Eddy, saying "Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, though not the boundary, of the affections." And this describes her perfectly. She nurtured all who crossed her path, saw the inherent beauty in each individual and encouraged them to flourish. She will be missed and celebrated with deepest gratitude by all in her community and especially by her family: Robert, Marshall and his wife Jane and their son Denny, Karen and her husband, Baba. Services entrusted to Arkansas Cremation. Guests may register at www.ArkansasCremation.com.