Kathryn Wright

Kathryn “Kay” Marie Wright, 90, of Staunton and formerly Mustoe, passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at Brookdale of Staunton.  She was born June 10, 1927 in Pittsburgh, PA, the daughter of the late Malinda Freda (Fuhrmann) and Henry “Hank“ Joseph Mehserle.

Kay graduated from Trinity Preparatory School in 1945 and then attended Ursinus College until she returned home to care for her mother.  She graduated from Garfield Memorial Hospital’s School of Nursing in 1950 and was the president of her class.  While raising her family, she resumed her studies and graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor of science in Nursing in 1973.

On June 11, 1953, Kay was married to Henderson Wilson “Wil” Wright and together they resided in Howard County, MD for 20 years.  She was active in her church as a member of the Altar Guild. She was also active in the community as a member of the Garden Club and volunteered her nursing skills to the Girl Scouts and other organizations.

Upon Wil’s retirement, the family moved to Highland County.  Kay continued to be active in the Altar Guild at Good Shepherd and then St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and became involved with the Stonewall Woman's Club and the Highland Historical Society, which led her to assist in authoring a book on the history of Highland County.   Additionally, she volunteered with the U.S. Census Bureau and for several years provided home health care throughout the county.  Kay was passionate about having quality healthcare available to the residents of Highland County and convinced the mobile mammography unit to come to Monterey. She served on the first Board of Directors that built the Highland Medical Center; she provided insight from her nursing experience and acquired donations of medical equipment from nearby hospitals. Without question - God, family, and community were very important to Kay and she loved the beauty of Highland County.

In addition to her parents and husband, Kay was preceded in death by her son, Henry William Wright; as well as her two brothers, John “Jack” Fuhrmann Mehserle and Lt. Col. Henry James “Jim” Mehserle.

Surviving family members include her daughters, Valerie Chandler and husband, Jeffrey of Mustoe, and Malinda Mitchell and husband, Richard of Littleton, CO; her son, John Wright and wife, Patricia of McDowell; granddaughters, Vanessa Wilson and husband, Tyler, Elizabeth Chandler, and Katelyn Wright; grandsons, Cory Mitchell, Kevin Mitchell and wife, Jolene, and Eric Mitchell; great-granddaughter, Danielle Mitchell; cousins, Alan Clunies and Sue Spelman; sister-in-law, Mary Mehserle; nieces and nephews, Eric Mehserle and wife, Dawn, Toby Bouckhuyt, Todd Mehserle, Jim Mehserle and wife, Meg, Bill Mehserle and wife Linda, and Scott Ferguson; as well as their respective families.

A memorial service will be held 3 p.m., Monday, September 25, 2017 at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell with the Rev. Shelby Owen officiating.  The family will hold a private committal service at another time.

Kay’s lively and determined spirit will be missed but her family and friends take comfort that she is now at peace and present with the Lord.  Her family is grateful for the support of the Highland County community, her pastor Shelby Owen at Emmanuel Episcopal Church and the caring staff at Brookdale and Legacy Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Highland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Monterey, VA 24465 or Bolar Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Kim Rexrode, treas., 21271 Sam Snead Hwy, Warm Springs, VA 24484