Eleanor Wright

Eleanor Louise Wright, 74, of Bellaire, passed away Monday, July 19, 2010, at Munson Medical Center, in Traverse City. She was born February 10, 1936, in Tucson, Arizona, the daughter of H. Grady and Maryanne (Ludy) Gwinn. Eleanor was raised in Tucson, and graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago with her bachelor degree in English. After several years of working in advertising in Chicago she met her husband Warren whom she married on November 20, 1965. Together they raised 3 boys in Ann Arbor, MI and her devotion to her family and special passion for guiding her boys in their lives, pursuing their interests and dreams was Ellie's proudest achievement. Jonathan, a physician, David, a Lt. Col. in the US Army, and Brian an Elementary School teacher, each in community oriented professions, reflect their mother's interest in the importance of education and the desire to help others. One of Ellie's many volunteer activities was working with TLC, an organization that matched older adults with school children to pursuit music and art. When they retired to Torch Lake she continued her volunteering in many venues. Ellie loved the arts in all forms. She enjoyed opera, plays, and theater as well as traveling the world. During this time she was reunited with her 2 children from a previous marriage, Melanie a dentist and Aubyn an advertising creative director. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Warren, and children Dr. Melanie (Clay) Larson, of Abilene, TX, Aubyn Gwinn of New York, NY, Dr. Jonathan (Stephanie) Wright of Simpsonville, SC, Lt. Col. David (Elizabeth) Wright, Ft. Meade, MD, Brian (Ann) Wright of Grand Junction, CO, brothers Albert Gwinn of Berkley, CA, Richard (Katherine) Gwinn of Crystal River, FL, sister Carolyn (Mike) Suba of Tuscon, AZ, and 7 grandchildren Bennett, Caroline, and Matthew of Simpsonville, SC, Nathan, Jacob, and Thomas of Ft. Meade, MD, and Elijah of Grand Junction, CO, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. A memorial Mass will be held Friday, July 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church in Bellaire with Fr. James Gardiner officiating with a luncheon to follow. Memorial donations may be made to the MDS Foundation 4573 South Broad St., Suite 150, Yardville, NJ 08620. Arrangements have been handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.