Barbara “Sue” Wright

Sept. 1942 – Jan. 2021
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Sue, a modest name for an exceptional woman. Sue was married 59 years to her husband, Dr. Michael Wright, being his loving, faithful, at-home anchor for a man in an active ministry as pastor, psychologist and co-director of an international reconciliation ministry. Mama Sue to four amazing children, Madeline Clark (Mike), Stephen (Trina), Heather Schaber (Peter), and Dr. Scott (Rachel, being there for them as children and throughout life for their activities, challenges and hurts. Grandma Sue to 10 precious grandchildren, fussing over them, spoiling them and loving them without reservation. Great Grandma Sue to six great grandchildren, marveling over their growth, beauty and smarts. Miss Sue to hundreds of preschoolers – wisely guiding, quietly correcting and strongly protecting them. As responsible older sister, she was Susie to Linda Phillips, Donna Adams (Frank), Janice Ford (Ron), John (Karen) and Joe (Ilse). Sue’s world revolved around her family and her over 40-year ministry as teacher, then director, at Monte Vista Preschool.

Sue was born Barbara Sue to Joe and Dorothy Curran in Corpus Christi, TX, September 15, 1942. She graduated from Sundeen High School; married Michael Wright, December 15, 1961; moved to the Bay Area in 1965 and then to Turlock in 1976.

She was a member of the Turlock Community Fellowship and graduated from Modesto Jr. College a certified teacher for preschool.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made and sent to Covenant Care Hospice, 125 N. Broadway, Ste. 1A, Turlock, CA 95380.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Allen Mortuary.

Friends may view the service broadcast online at: www.viewlogies.net/allen/6MGkNemfD and enter service pin password 978-341

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Condolences(17)

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Gary and Nancy Williams says
January 12, 2021 at 10:02 pm

Mike: We were so sorry to learn about Sue passing away. We hold so many special memories of Sue and you in our hearts (youth pastor at Stewardship Baptist in Hayward, then pastor at Calvary Baptist – you baptized Nancy, performed our wedding – with Sue singing so beautifully)…..again so many memories of wonderful times. So blessed that she was part of our lives.

We love you,
Gary and Nancy
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Carolyn Conser says
January 12, 2021 at 5:22 pm

Condolences to Sue’s family & friends as they share memories & moments of a life well lived.
When I met Sue she was riding shotgun with Debbie J & bound for McHenry Village on one of their many muffin runs! I’ll hear her distinctive laugh & be toasting her life when I next enjoy our favorite cranberry-orange muffin. Rest in Peace.
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Mike Robinson says
January 12, 2021 at 4:09 pm

Kathy and I first met Michael and Sue in early 1967. We each had a 2 year old daughter and Kathy and Sue were both expecting with our first sons. Michael was involved in evangelism and I was leading music in a church and we worked together in revival meetings many times and the four of us were together frequently.

Michael and Sue, with her always beautiful smile, became wonderful and close friends and and developed a deep spiritual relationship, and we treasure that relationship of 54 years. A friendship strong enough that even when separated by time and distance, when we were brought together again nothing had changed… friends forever.

Looking forward to eternity with you Sue.
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Vicki (Hurd- Hanson- Lopez) Collins says
January 12, 2021 at 12:52 pm

I cannot imagine how hard it has been married to Michael with all his drive and energy.
But I do know he could not be who he is or have done all he has without you. You were his rock. And the live he had for you was just amazing. He was truly a man in love.
You were always so quiet and soft spoken. But when approached you were so friendly and talkative.
I was surprised how quickly you warmed to my new husband Wes. I think it may have been his southern charm having lived in Texas a while.
He said you were a little shy.
I never had thought about that.
He liked you very much.
I loved hearing you sing..you were so modest about it, but you had a lovely voice..and Michael just seemed to melt whenever you did.
You will be so missed. We will meet again.
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Joe P Wright says
January 12, 2021 at 3:24 am

We did not get to know as he very well, as they were in Corpus Chrisie Texas 1961 Mike attending Ray JC and they moved to California 1965. I do recall she worked for iPhone company and was able to move there to work. -They lost a child there also. She helped Mike earn 2 doctorials and all their children to go to college.She was a caring, sharing loving person. She was a perfect match for Mike 59 years of Love.
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Joe P Wright says
January 12, 2021 at 2:31 am

We did not really Have a chance to know Sue as they lived in Corpus Christe Texas .I remember that she worked for phone company and that they lost a child there. Mike wanted to go to Golden Gate cemminary in California and she was able to get work there. She helped Mike get two doctorials and from there settled in the area. She was caring sharing loving person , again helping her children go to college.She was a perfect match for my brother. We both did good 60 yr + in love.
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Joe P Wright & GINIA Wray says
January 12, 2021 at 2:30 am

We did not really Have a chance to know Sue as they lived in Corpus Christe Texas .I remember that she worked for phone company and that they lost a child there. Mike wanted to go to Golden Gate cemminary in California and she was able to get work there. She helped Mike get two doctorials and from there settled in the area. She was caring sharing loving person , again helping her children go to college.She was a perfect match for my brother. We both did good 60 yr + in love.
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Starleen Mason says
January 12, 2021 at 1:24 am

Sue spread so much love in her lifetime, touched so many lives, and brought such happiness to us all.

We had so much fun working, going to church, and raising our families together.

I will hold you in my heart until I see you soon.

My love and prayers go out to the family for your overwhelming loss.
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Kathy Whitson says
January 10, 2021 at 8:28 pm

Sue, I will always remember hearing you sing during the worship time at TCF. It was as if your voice joined a throng of angels giving glorious praise to the Lord.

I also enjoyed meeting you and Debbie for our favorite treat at the Ice Cream Company in Modesto. You recalled the delight of taking your own family for ice cream years before at the same restaurant. I don’t remember your ice cream order but do remember you always saying that “we needed to get together for ice cream again soon”. I never argued with you over that idea!

Your gain of heaven into the arms of Jesus is a tremendous loss for all who had the honor of knowing you here on earth. We will meet again some day and enjoy heavenly ice cream together!
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Randy Wright says
January 9, 2021 at 1:40 am

Sue I remember when you and Mike got married. After the services you and Mike went to your car , but the keys would not open the door. Mike keep trying until he figured it was the photographers car. It was the same make and color. One time you cooked diner. It was ground beef steak and it had the weirdest flavor. It took me years to figure it out . It was garlic. Sue your are going to be so missed by Mike and so many . You were so faithful. You will always be rembered. God probably has you running a day care center right now. This is not bye, but a celebration of your life. God bless. PS You have a great laugh and a soft voice
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Randy Wright says
January 9, 2021 at 1:00 am

Sue I remember when you and Mike got married. After the services you and Mike went to your car , but the keys would not open the door. Mike keep trying until he figured it was the photographers car. It was the same make and color. One time Sue cooked diner. It was ground beef steak and it had the weirdest flavor. It took me years to figure it out . It was garlic. Sue your are going to be so missed by Mike and so many . You were so faithful. You will always be rembered. God probably has you running a day care center right now. This is not bye, but a celebration of your life. God bless. PS You have a great laugh!
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Debra Jeheber says
January 8, 2021 at 8:08 pm

Anywhere Sue and I went, I always said to her “watch for money on the ground”. She would roll her eyes in disbelief that I found coins or bills all the time, be it day or night. She was even more shocked when she herself found some – like the $5 bill. Another amazing time, she spied a quarter in the parking lot as I was slowly driving the car. I pointed out that took skill and she was better at this than she gave herself credit. We chuckled that we were going to be millionaires doing this.

My other memory of her constant eye-rolling at me was at breakfast when I would mix my “happy powder” in V8 juice. Never was able to convince her how tasty nutritional yeast was in it. Her firm opinion was “OH! GROSS!”
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Michael Wright says
January 8, 2021 at 3:00 pm

Sue,
You were there in the horrific pain,
You were there when there seemed no gain,
In sunshine or rain,
You were there.
You braved the dark places with me,
You followed when we both could not see,
You were God’s gift we needed you to be.
Your radiant smile graced our days
In so many wondrous ways.
You were the mom our kids could count on
You were there in their triumph.
You were there in their defeat.
You were there in their in there joy.
You were there in their sorrow.
You were there.
Words cannot be spoken
From this heart so broken
To utter those praises due
To my precious wife – Sue.
Your loving husband, Michael.
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ShaMayne Doerman says
January 7, 2021 at 7:46 pm

She will be missed by many, and loved by three of my four kids that got to be lucky enough to attend while she was still at Monte Vista Children’s Center. She was always soft spoken and a great listener. Just a very kind soul. Our prayers to her family at this difficult time.
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mary kennedy says
January 7, 2021 at 5:31 pm

I met Sue and Mike in 1977 Sue and two other lovely ladies-Sandy and Sharon- sang a beautiful song at my wedding. I moved to Turlock in that same year and Sue was gracious in inviting me over for dinner, letting me use her washer and dryer weekly since I was without for quite awhile and just generally opened her home to me on a constant basis. I found out several years after we met that her first name was Barbara. Someone in the family told me if I wanted to get a rise out of her to call her ” Babs”-only did it once!!! She had a stubbornness about her that could be infuriating at times, but also served her well, too. She was a very strong woman and endured many things in her soft spoken way. I worked with her at Monte Vista Children’s Center and she was a favorite of all those kids! She was Mama Sue even before her grandchildren were in the picture
My picture of her in heaven is her surrounded by children and singing to them with that beautiful voice!
It’s not ” Goodbye Sue” it’s “I’ll see you later!”
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Brian & Wendy Duggan says
January 6, 2021 at 6:29 pm

We met Sue through Debbie Jeheber and remember her as a kind and gracious person. Our sincere condolences to Michael and the family on their profound loss.
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Sue Quinn says
January 6, 2021 at 7:21 am

What a Beautiful Lady! ~ “MAMA SUE” ~ And a wonderful tribute to you, Barbara. I don’t know you, but I also go by MAMA SUE.
It made me smile because I’ve never heard anyone else called that. I just want your family to know that they honored you so sweetly. Rest In Peace Mama Sue.