Catherine Wright

Catherine Wright, 93, of South Orange, New Jersey by way of Montclair, New Jersey, passed away on August 29, 2019 surrounded by family and friends.  Catherine was the daughter of John and Retenner Lee born on April 29, 1926 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Catherine began her studies in a one room school house and later graduated Valedictorian from Atkins High School in Winston Salem, North Carolina, in 1945.  She continued her education at Winston Salem State University formerly known as Teachers College, and later attended Essex County College, in Newark, NJ.  She went on to become a nurse and worked for the Essex County Hospital Center (Overbrook), where she retired after many years of service.  She also worked as a private duty nurse throughout her storied career in healthcare.

You could never count the number of young people who called her ‘Nanas’.  It was a name given to her by her grandchild, Jazmine, but adopted by every young person who knew her.  There was no favor too big, or too small, that she would not honor for someone she loved.

For over fifty years she was a member of Union Baptist church in Montclair, NJ, where she served on the Nurses Ministry.

When we say Matriarch, Catherine was truly the matriarch of several families.  She raised two sets of children; her biological children, and then her grandsons; Jimmy, Reggie and Dwight Branch.  Catherine even returned to work, after retirement age, in order to provide for her family.  She was the ony person in this world that truly understood her children and their friends.  Her finger rested on the pulse of everything around her. 

Catherine Wright could lift your chin no matter how low it had fallen with some quip, or another.  She always had a joke or a funny aside and she sensed exactly when it was needed.  Her love extended far and wide.  Catherine Wright was a saint, and you would be hard pressed to find any one person who would disagree with that.  Mama could rip you apart in a nice way, get you straight, and then wrap you in her arms with her words.

Nanas was the world to Jaz, and it was mutual.  Jaz was like her child and she intervened on more than one occasion on Jaz’s behalf.  The grandsons she raised remained loyal and loving.  They took care of her the way they should have, as their grandmother-mother had taken care of them.

We say that people are never truly gone when they pass, and this is especially true for Catherine.  Her spirit, and her stories will live on in the countless lives she touched, especially in those closest to her.

She leaves to celebrate her life her children, Gary Lee, Rosemary Wright, Reginald Lee (Dorothy), Sheila Andrews, and Johanna Wright (Lonnie),  along with 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.  Catherine also leaves to celebrate her life, her very special nieces Brenda Frazier, and Sylvia Douthit, and her very dear friend Jean Coehlo,  and her prayer partner Anita O. Mack.

While at her rehabilitation center, Catherine became known as the Queen.  She had such charisma, even in her final days, that everyone wanted to be around her.  Her room was always full.  We will always remember her giant heart, her generous spirit, her infectious smile and her unforgettable stories.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Catherine Wright, please visit our floral store.