Mary Lou Wright

Mary Lou Archibald Wright passed away peacefully in her sleep at her son’s home in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 21, 2009. She was born on September 10, 1929 in Salem, Idaho, the 9th of eleven children to David Watson and Lillie Isabelle Stallings Archibald. She grew up on the family farm and attended school in Salem. She then went on to attend Ricks College, where she received a teaching certificate. While attending Ricks, she was active in the music department and a charter member of the Valkeries. She also met a young theater student named Edgar Leon (Ted) Wright and they married on December 21, 1949 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Mary Lou taught school for one year, earning enough to buy her treasured piano. The young newlyweds moved to Rigby, where Ted began teaching at the high school and where they started their family. Mary Lou was an active member of the LDS church and served faithfully in many callings, including serving a full time mission with Ted to Nairobi, Kenya and as a weekly ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls Temple. She enjoyed growing flowers, spending time with her family, and baking bread. She was an accomplished vocalist and sang for many years as a member of the Chansonettes musical group. Her life was blessed by the gift of music, which she used to bless the lives of others. She shared her musical talents through singing and playing the piano and organ. She is survived by two of her brothers, Merlin (Donna)Archibald, Idaho Falls and Ronald Archibald, Murray, UT; and one sister, Ilene Pearson,Parowan, UT; six sons, John (Elizabeth) Pocatello; Paul (Jennie)Pocatello; Ben, Scotsdale, AZ; Robert (Debra)Blackfoot; Nathan (Emily) Tyler, TX and Matthew (Julie)Antioch, CA; four daughters Mary Ann Bates, South Weber, UT; Peggy (Kip) Marler, Pingree; Ruth (Mitch) Tebbs , Mesa, AZ and Becky (Guy, deceased) Overson, Apache Junction, AZ ; 54 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sweetheart Ted and their oldest son, David. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 28 at 1:00 pm at the Rigby East Stake Center. There will be viewings on Friday, February 27 from 6 – 8 pm and Saturday, February 28 from 11:30– 12:30 pm at the Rigby East Stake Center. Funeral arrangements have been made through the Bunker Funeral Home in Scottsdale and Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby.