Mourning the loss of Dawn Maré Wright

Former Pride of Portland member Dawn Wright, age 62, passed peacefully on Sunday, August 7, 2022, leaving behind a loving family.

Nothing meant more to Dawn than music and family, and she had a big heart for both. Dawn sang with several Sweet Adelines choruses: Pride of Portland, Northwest Harmony, and Oregon Spirit, where she was an Assistant Director. As bass section leader, she was often asked to lead parts of rehearsals or warmups. Her quartet, Roadshow, really rocked the house!

Dawn met the love of her life, Kathleen, 32 years  ago. Together, they raised daughters, Jennifer and Katie, and built a lifetime of love and memories. Everyone in the family knew they could count on Dawn whenever they needed to. Dawn devoted her life as a music educator to thousands of children during her 30-year teaching career. A special thank you goes to Kim Seidel, the staff, families, and students at Monmouth Elementary School where she spent her final years. Her greatest joy was being "Grammy" and devoted the last 15 years to her grandchildren--Aidan, Ameeah, Kai, Michaela, Alex, Max, Cassie, Jared, Ashley, Zoie, Jace and Zak--playing, laughing, and going on adventures. She enjoyed every minute with them, and they were the delight of her life. Watching them succeed through weddings, graduations, parenthood, and life passages brought her joy.

Dawn is survived by her wife, Kathleen; daughters Daisha, Jennifer, Katie, Sandra, Jess and Liz; their sons Jeffrey, Ryan, and Dennis; mother Joyce Wright Ekness; and her siblings Kevin, Keith, Kyle, and Julie. She was blessed with a myriad of nieces and nephews as well.

In honor of her talent for teaching the joys of music, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Monmouth Elementary School PTA for the purchase of playground wind chimes at 958 Church Street East, Monmouth, OR 97361.

Published by Albany Democrat-Herald on Aug. 19, 2022.
Edited by Robin Reimer and Linette Finstad, Pride of Portland Chorus