Betty Jean (Hay) Wright (1923 - 2015)

Born 25 Nov 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Wife of James Claude Wright — married 12 Nov 1972 in Arlington, Virginia, United States

Died 15 Jul 2015 at age 91 in Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas, United States

Biography

Betty Jean (Hay) Wright was born Nov. 25, 1923, in St. Louis, Mo., to Mr. and Mrs. William L. Hay. A teenage dancing prodigy in St. Louis, Betty attended St. Elizabeth Academy and Notre Dame High School. She graduated from Rubicam College in St. Louis and later attended the University of Houston. She studied Spanish at the State Department's Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, Va. In 1951, Betty moved to Fort Worth where she held administrative and executive positions with hotel, manufacturing and insurance organizations. She joined the staff of Congressman Jim Wright in 1965, alternating between the Fort Worth and Washington offices. She later served as assistant to the chairman of the Public Works subcommittee.

Betty married U.S. House Majority Leader Jim Wright on Nov. 12, 1972. Betty and Jim made their residence in Washington, D.C., and McLean, Va., with frequent trips to and from Fort Worth. Betty's Washington activities included memberships in the International Neighbors Club, composed of congressional, cabinet and U.S. ambassadors' wives. She also held memberships in the Capitol Speakers Club, Congressional Wives Club, Democratic Wives Club, Texas Congressional Wives Club, the Texas State Society and the Congressional Staff Club.

Betty traveled to many foreign countries, including Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Egypt, Israel and Russia. She enjoyed cultural exchange and learning about other ways of life. Upon Speaker Wright's retirement from Congress in 1989, Betty and Jim moved home to Fort Worth. A lover of the arts, Betty enjoyed attending plays, dance recitals and musical performances. She actively participated in a local dance group where she performed in community recitals and dance events to benefit members of the Fort Worth community. Betty enjoyed interior design and worked to make the homes she lived in beautiful both inside and out. Known for her sense of style, good taste and beautiful smile, Betty Wright commanded notable presence. Betty owned and loved two very special dogs, Gigi and Lovey, spending many treasured days with each.

She died Wednesday, July 15, 2015. in Fort Worth. Survivors include four stepchildren, along with multiple stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sources

• Find A Grave: Memorial #149387104