MARTHA MCKEAN WRIGHT

05/16/1942 - 03/12/2023

Martha McKean Wright, 80, died unexpectedly on March 12, 2023. She was born in Houston, and grew up in Baytown, the daughter of Marjorie H and Charles V. McKean. An excellent student, she attended Rice University where she majored in Architecture. There, during her first month, she met her future husband, Richard P. Wright, who persisted until she married him in April 1965. Theirs was a marriage of equal partners and mutual love for nearly 58 years.

She was an amazing and many-talented woman, excelling as wife, mother, friend and untiring volunteer. She rose to leadership in many organizations that were beneficiaries of her particular blend of compassion and skill. Notable among them: Rice, SBISD’s Art Museum and Science Center, and Audubon’s Edith Moore Nature Sanctuary. She particularly enjoyed teaching young children about the natural world. More recently she was deeply engaged with Care Partners of Texas by co-ordinating one of their Gathering Places, offering respite care for families dealing with forms of early dementia. Working with Others was truly one of her passions.

For over 40 years, she served St. Francis Episcopal Church Houston so well in so many different volunteer positions, that she received its lifetime service award in January 2023.

Martha became a wonderful chef and took great pleasure in exploring new culinary roads with family and friends, both in her home kitchen and dining out.

She and Dick shared a love of travel; and after his retirement, visited over 50 countries in the last 20 years. Their strategy of making harder trips early (Tibet, Amazon, New Zealand glowworm caves, Andes) and leaving cruises for later proved to be astute.

In addition to her husband, Martha is survived by their sons Charles (Heidi) and Duncan (Angela) and cousins dear to her. They will never fail to miss her.

A memorial service will be held later this spring on a date to be determined at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point Road, Houston, with the Rev. Stuart A. Bates officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to St. Francis, to Rice University scholarships, Care Partners Texas or to any organization of your choice supporting conservation in nature .