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WRIGHT, Phyllis Louise, of Fairview Heights, IL, passed away Feb. 16, 2017.
She was born Aug. 23, 1931, to Walter and Adolphine "Dolly", nee Pierson, Rattigan of Burgettstown, PA. She was a 1950 graduate of Catholic Central High School.
At the age of 20, Phyllis married her high school sweetheart, George Ernest Wright and together they traveled across the country and abroad as George pursued his Air Force career. They moved to Sumter, SC in 1969 and when George retired from Shaw AFB after 23 years of service, they chose to stay and make Sumter their home.
Phyllis was caring, compassionate and generous with her time. She was a foster mom to newborns in Minnesota, a Red Cross volunteer at various base hospitals, a Girl Scout leader in England, a member of St. Anne choir, a volunteer at Alice Dr. Junior High and at "Mother's Pajamas" crisis help line.
She was foremost a devout Catholic and loving mother to her oldest son Michael and twins Patrick and Susan. She enjoyed having family visit, especially cooking for them during the holidays. Phyllis loved animals and over the years, cared for many stray cats. She enjoyed gardening, searching for bargains at yard sales and watching animal and garden shows.
In 2010, Phyllis moved to Fairview Heights to be near her daughter. Despite her failing health, she always maintained a kindly disposition and a pleasant sense of humor.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, George Wright, sons Michael and Patrick and sister Mary Katherine Bagienski.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Brian Clukey; grandchildren Joshua (Ciara) Wright of Lakeland, FL, Shannon (Caleb) Tschida of Lake Wales, FL, Nathan Clukey, Ethan (fiancee Liz Ebel) Clukey, Adrain (Kyle) Wallace and Anna Clukey of Fairview Heights, IL; great-grandchildren Brystol Wright and Levi Tschida; brother-in-law Wade Wright of Steubenville, OH.
Memorial donations are requested to the SPCA of Sumter, SC. www.sumterscscpa.com.