Joan M. Wright of Pendleton, Oregon, was born on July 21, 1943 in Tacoma, Washington to parents, Henry Sr. and Verna Hawley High . She died on September 17, 2019 in Hermiston, Oregon at the age of 76 years. Joan was raised in Tacoma, Washington with her siblings, Henry Jr.,Joy, Peggy and Allen. After high school she moved to Portland, Oregon where she married Delbert Smeltzer in 1964. They had 3 children: Jeanne, Chad and Julia. Joan worked in banking in Portland and La Grande, Oregon and later in the accounting office at Boise Cascade in Elgin. She later worked for Parks Bronze Foundry in Enterprise, Oregon and later for Highline Homes in home health care in Burien, Washington. Joan enjoyed reading, camping and hunting. She could play a mean game of pool and always beat her children in Monopoly. Joan moved back to Tacoma, Washing where she met Clyde Wright and they were married on September 6, 1997. They lived in Sumner, Washington until 2005 when they moved to Pendleton, Oregon to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren. While in Pendleton she enjoyed retirement by watching her grandchildren grow, painting, drawing, coloring, family trips, country drives and making new friends through her local church, Pendleton Free Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband: Clyde Wright, Pendleton, OR; daughters: Jeanne Huffman, Pendleton, OR and Julia Wilson, Bend, OR; sister: Joy Schwesinger, WA; brother: Allen High, MO; grandchildren: Morgan, Sonora, Haylie, Tyler, Jordyn, Dupree & Calvin; 2 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, son: Chad Smeltzer; brother: Henry, and a sister: Peggy.
A private family gathering will be held.
Please share memories of Joan with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.
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