All Union mourns the passing of Mrs. Belle Mallory Wright who slipped away quietly yesterday afternoon at 1:30, following an illness that began last April when she sustained some injuries in a fall at her home. She had failed gradually since that time and slept much of the time the past few days. She was able to be up and have breakfast with her daughter, Mrs. Phy, yesterday morning and her death came quite unexpectedly. She died as she had lived--courageously and with a smile and the community has lost one of its most beloved pioneers and will miss the happy smile and courageous spirit of one whom all lovingly knew as "Gram."

She was a pioneer in the truest sense, taking an active part in the development of many community interests as long as she was able to get about. She began her pioneer work in the public schools and the church, was a charter member and first worthy matron of the Eastern Star Lodge, president of the Woman's Club and a tireless worker in the Missionary society and Ladies' Aid of the Methodist Church. For more than 25 years she was superintendent of the Sunday school and was treasurer up to the time of her death. Hundreds of people have been touched by her Christian influence. Her many years of devoted service in whatever she undertook endeared her to all who knew her. She loved flowers, music, and good books but more than all, her friends whom she always greeted with a radiant smile.

Mrs. Wright was born in Greenwood, Steuben County, New York, January 9, 1850--almost 84 years ago. She came to Oregon with her parents in 1860, making the trip by boat and crossing over and at the Isthmus of Panama. She lived one years in the Willamette Valley and then came to Union to teach school. She was married in 1870 to Will Wright and to them were born 11 children, three of whom died in early childhood. Mr. Wright died on December 11, 1917.

Surviving members of the family are Mrs. Frances Townley, Stanford California; Will, Portland; Mrs. Edith Phy, Union; Mrs. Ina Herbst, Spokane; Rufus, Los Angeles, Elmer, Salt Lake; Charlie, Mandan, South Dakota; and Irwin, Kansas City. She leaves also 21 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Irwin Wright will come by plane to attend the funeral. Miss Margaret Phy will arrive from Eugene and Will Wright from Portland on Saturday. Other relatives are to be heard from yet. The time has not been set definitely for the funeral but probably it will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 from the Methodist Church.

LaGrande Observer, December 15, 1933 [Front Page]

All Union mourns the passing of Mrs. Belle Mallory Wright who slipped away quietly yesterday afternoon at 1:30, following an illness that began last April when she sustained some injuries in a fall at her home. She had failed gradually since that time and slept much of the time the past few days. She was able to be up and have breakfast with her daughter, Mrs. Phy, yesterday morning and her death came quite unexpectedly. She died as she had lived--courageously and with a smile and the community has lost one of its most beloved pioneers and will miss the happy smile and courageous spirit of one whom all lovingly knew as "Gram."

She was a pioneer in the truest sense, taking an active part in the development of many community interests as long as she was able to get about. She began her pioneer work in the public schools and the church, was a charter member and first worthy matron of the Eastern Star Lodge, president of the Woman's Club and a tireless worker in the Missionary society and Ladies' Aid of the Methodist Church. For more than 25 years she was superintendent of the Sunday school and was treasurer up to the time of her death. Hundreds of people have been touched by her Christian influence. Her many years of devoted service in whatever she undertook endeared her to all who knew her. She loved flowers, music, and good books but more than all, her friends whom she always greeted with a radiant smile.

Mrs. Wright was born in Greenwood, Steuben County, New York, January 9, 1850--almost 84 years ago. She came to Oregon with her parents in 1860, making the trip by boat and crossing over and at the Isthmus of Panama. She lived one years in the Willamette Valley and then came to Union to teach school. She was married in 1870 to Will Wright and to them were born 11 children, three of whom died in early childhood. Mr. Wright died on December 11, 1917.

Surviving members of the family are Mrs. Frances Townley, Stanford California; Will, Portland; Mrs. Edith Phy, Union; Mrs. Ina Herbst, Spokane; Rufus, Los Angeles, Elmer, Salt Lake; Charlie, Mandan, South Dakota; and Irwin, Kansas City. She leaves also 21 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Irwin Wright will come by plane to attend the funeral. Miss Margaret Phy will arrive from Eugene and Will Wright from Portland on Saturday. Other relatives are to be heard from yet. The time has not been set definitely for the funeral but probably it will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 from the Methodist Church.

LaGrande Observer, December 15, 1933 [Front Page]