Shirley Ann Wright

Shirley Ann Wright, 86, of Colorado Springs, CO, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025. She was surrounded by the love of her family as she met Jesus.

Shirley was born Shirley Ann Montgomery on September 19, 1938, in Kearney, Nebraska, to John and Dorothy Irene (DeVoe). She graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1956 and was a member of the First Christian Church of Elm Creek. In 1967, Shirley married Thomas Wright in Kearney and moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, where she spent the majority of her years dedicated to her two children, Dawn and Max, and many friends.

Shirley was raised by parents who loved the Lord. She, too, loved Jesus and introduced her children to Him by attending the First Christian Church of Hutchinson with them. Her love of the Lord was shown in the way she lived her life. Committed to her family and friends, Shirley was loving, fiercely devoted, hardworking, faithful, God-fearing, and generous to others. She worked multiple jobs at a time to provide for her family, never with complaint, but being an employee who was trustworthy, loyal, and kind. Before her retirement, she could be found at Braum’s Ice Cream visiting with customers or ensuring the package section was kept stocked. Those who knew her also knew she was witty, funny, and even feisty, which always brought laughter to everyone. Her true loves were her grandchildren, watching their activities, whether online or in person, talking to them, and cheering them on in life!

Shirley was competitive in nature and loved sports, being active in volleyball, softball, bowling, and eventually bingo. Those who played bingo with her missed her when she was not there, as her banter with others kept the room alive. Her love of sports was evident in her vast knowledge and vocal support of Kansas Jayhawk Basketball. Up until her passing, she watched every game she could and knew the players and their statistics (and of late, even the not-so-good stats).

Shirley is survived by her two children, Dawn Ammons (Randy) of Brandon, MS, and her son, Max Wright (Julie) of Colorado Springs, CO; four grandchildren, Case Kempthorne (Dallas, TX), Max Thomas Wright (Oliver Paipoonge, ON, CA), Luke Wright (Colorado Springs, CO), and Brooke Ammons (Casa Grande, AZ); two nieces, Carol Bachman of Humphrey, NE, and Carol Uden (Bruce) of Pleasanton, NE; and two nephews, Larry Luce (Julie) of Hastings, NE, and Dick Luce (Susan) of Washington, and many friends. She was

preceded in death by her parents, her three sisters, Darlene, Tresa, and Judy, and her two nephews, John Luce, and Jim Bachman.

A celebration of life will be held later in Nebraska, as she wanted to be buried by one of her sisters, as well as her hometown of Hutchinson.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Christian Church of Hutchinson, Kansas, or a memorial has been created in Shirley’s name for her best friend’s daughter, Tina Hilger, 51, of Hutchinson, Kansas who is fiercely fighting android cystic carcinoma- a rare glandular cancer. Shirley Wright Memorial: Helping Tina Hilger Fight Cancer. https://gofund.me/08b8b0ca

“I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth.” – 3 John 1:4