Jean Struse Wright, 97, boat company owner
Jean Struse Wright, 97, of Philadelphia, who took over her husband's boat business after his death in the 1970s, died Tuesday, July 7, of dementia at Cathedral Village in Roxborough.
Jean Struse Wright, 97, of Philadelphia, who took over her husband's boat business after his death in the 1970s, died Tuesday, July 7, of dementia at Cathedral Village in Roxborough.
Born in Philadelphia to Marian English and Rudolph Walton Struse, Mrs. Wright graduated in 1940 from what is now Drexel University, where she pledged Phi Kappa Phi and was captain of the rifle team.
She married John Wright Jr., owner-operator of John Wright Boats Inc., in 1944.
A year after her husband's death in 1972, Mrs. Wright took control of the company, at 328 W. Queen Lane in Germantown. Later, when the firm moved to West Conshohocken, she oversaw the move. The business was sold in 1990 and then dissolved.
Aside from her husband, Mrs. Wright was interested in boats and being near the water in her own right. Since age 16, she had enjoyed spending summers at a second home in Stone Harbor, N.J. She was a member of the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor for many years.
Mrs. Wright also was an active member of the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Chestnut Hill Garden Club, Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, and Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May.
She enjoyed gardening, sailing, needlepoint, traveling, and solving The Inquirer's daily crossword puzzle.
"She was very well-read," said daughter-in-law Karen Wright. "In later years, she read a book a day. She was a remarkable, very bright, very gracious lady."
She is survived by sons Jonathan and Peter; two grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is to be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 23, at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. Interment is private.
Donations may be made to Susan G. Komen Philadelphia, 125 S. Ninth St., Suite 202, Philadelphia 19107, or via www.komenphiladelphia.org.