Family of Thomas James FOX and Esther Lavona WRIGHT

Esther Lavona WRIGHT

Female

Clarence Graham WRIGHT (1893-1987)

Lillie Bernice WOOD (1896-1983)

Address: Gordon Bell High School

Address: Shapiro School of Practical Nursing at Mt. Sinai Hospital

Esther Lavona Wright (1920- 2011)

(Second Oldest Daughter of Clarence & Lillie Wood Wright)

Born in Hartney, Manitoba, Canada, with the Family moving to the Detroit, Michigan, USA area in 1922, at the age of 1 1/2 years.

Esther was raised near the small suburb of Redford, West of the city of Detroit, Michigan, near Telegraph Rd. and Grand River Avenue. At the age of 12 years, the family relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in the year 1932, during the great depression.

Esther graduated from the Gordon Bell High School in Winnipeg, and shortly after graduation in 1937, the family returned to the U.S.A. Being a very thrifty and enterprising individual, Esther worked at various jobs as one of the most beautiful waitress in the Redford area and meeting the love of her life, love at first sight, a Thomas James Fox, the "Foxiest Guy in Town".

Esther and Tom were married Sept. 26, 1940 at the home of Tom's Sister Lucy Boynton, in Birmingham Michigan. She spent many years of her life living at 12800 Hazelton St., Detroit, Michigan raising two Sons James Allan and Craig John.

During her school years Esther was very active in community affairs, progressing to President of the Healy School, Parents & Teachers Association, PTA. Being musically inclined, Esther also brought music into her home through talents in playing the organ and many other talents.

Being an excellent seamstress Esther designed custom clothing, and always beautified her home and surroundings with a green touch of the outdoors in gardening. Another of her outstanding talents and a big hit with family and friends....was her gourmet cooking and particularly pie-making such as Lemon Meringue, Blueberry, Strawberry, Pumpkin and Rhubarb!

Esther and Husband Tom were also avid travelers, covering all States of the U.S.A. except Alaska and all provinces of Canada. Esther started a golf career at the age of 17 years, active for many years in the Womens League at Burrough's Farms, as winner of some 8 major tournaments and Winner of the Mothers & Sons Trophy in 1960.

She was always active in her community Church activities at one time being Secretary & Historian of the Memorial Church, Livonia, and also Christ Church at Brighton, Michigan, and over the many years assisted her husband, Thomas J. Fox in his various church and Bible College work.

In early 1960, Esther pursued a career in Nursing, graduating from Shapiro School of Nursing at Mt. Sinai Hospital, in Detroit, Michigan graduating with a degree in Nursing in 1968. For some 18 years she worked at St. Joseph's Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Coronary Intensive Care retiring in 1986. During this period she nursed some very famous people such as her husband Thomas James Fox in open heart surgery in May 1984, Henry Ford Jr., receiving a personal letter of commendation from Mr. Ford, and also Bo Schembeckler, Head Football Coach, University of Michigan, through two open heart surgeries.

Esther was the first Nurse to receive a Commendation from St. Joseph's by achieving a 10 year tenure in Coronary Care Unit, the average being 3 years. As if this date of August 15, 1994, Esther is enjoying the pleasures of Family and Grandchildren nearby,golf and all of the other luxuries afforded by Oak Point Golf & County Club, (formerly Burrough's Farms Recreation Center), at Brighton, Michigan.

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Sources:

Family History as reported by Esther Lavona Wright Fox and Husband Thomas J. Fox at their home, Brighton, Michigan on July 18th., 1994.

Family History and recollections as reported by Kenneth M. Wright, Brother, of Fallbrook, California July 18th., 1994.