Helen Wright

Helen Johnson Wright

     Helen Johnson Wright, 99, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2013.  Helen was a lifelong resident of Erie having resided for most of that on East 4th Street, 17 years on Robin Drive, and the last 5 years at St Mary's Home Asbury Ridge. 

     Helen was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Christina Johnson who emigrated from Sweden in the 1890's and her three siblings Phillip, Fred, and Sara (Hickman).  Her beloved husband of 66 years, Everett Wright, passed away in 2005 and her eldest daughter Sara "Sally" Goldsmith in 2007. 

     She was a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church/Luther Memorial Church. Helen was a wonderful mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend and proud of her Swedish heritage.  She was a stay at home mom, who went back to work to make sure her two girls could get a college education.  Helen loved to work cross-word puzzles with Everett, see how much she knew by watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, sung along with Lawrence Welk every week, enjoyed the Erie Playhouse and Peninsula, and kept track of the different types of birds that came to the feeder every year.  She was a great cook, could sew anything, and knitted hats, mittens and baby blankets for everyone.  Helen loved to play cards with her "girls", whose club started when they were in their twenties and continued into their early nineties.  Helen never missed an event that her two daughters participated in and was very active in the PTA throughout their years at Penn School.  She was a 1931 graduate of East High School and in the later years helped organize their 50-plus years reunions.  Over her lifetime, Helen worked at Lords Manufacturing, Eazor Trucking, and spent many years at and retired from E&A Doubet Jewelers.

     She is survived by her grateful daughter Susan Wright of Springfield, VA, granddaughter Cheryl Goldsmith of Toronto, Ontario, grandson Eric Goldsmith of Montreal, Quebec, “adopted daughter” Diane Grabowski of Philadelphia, and her lifelong friend Helen Anderson of Erie.  Helen is also survived in Erie by her sister-in-law Carol Pilewskie and her great niece Colleen McCarthy as well as many friends and relatives here, around the country and in Sweden. 

     Family thanks the staff of Neighbor Hood E, St. Mary’s Asbury Ridge for their kindness, love, and care provided Helen. 

     Friends may call Sunday 2 to 5 p.m. at the Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle St., and are invited to services there Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. William Coleman of Luther Memorial Church officiating.  Private interment in Laurel Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers you donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, Luther Memorial Church, 225 W 10th St, Erie, PA 16501 or the charity of your choice.