Irene Thelma Stone Wright

Irene Stone Wright, 92, passed away on April 22, 2022, from natural causes. She was born July 14, 1929, right before the great stock market crash, in San Francisco. Her parents were Claude and Mary Stone.
Irene was the younger of two girls born to Mary and Claude. Her sister, Ruth, is three years older and is still living.
She grew up in Salt Lake City, and graduated West High School. She married Owen Hyrum Wright on June 7, 1950, in the Salt Lake temple, and they were married 51 years until his tragic death in 2001.
Owen and Irene were the parents of four children. Carrie Irene, the oldest, died soon after birth. Her surviving children are Wendy (Brent) Russel, Stacy (Bill) Strong and Pat (Kim) Wright. She had twelve grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren.
She and her sister Ruth had a wonderful childhood growing up in Salt Lake City, and there was always an argument about who their mother loved best. They were raised to be strong, confident women, and raised their children to be likewise.
Irene met her future husband Owen on a double date, except she was not on the date with Owen, but liked him better, so they subsequently started dating each other afterward. Their first date was at the old Saltaire Resort near Tooele, Utah, where they danced late into the night. They both loved to dance, and would frequently start randomly dancing with the sound of old musical melodies they loved. Their courtship progressed and were married soon after.
Family was everything to Owen and Irene, and they were fortunate that Owen had a successful car business that allowed them to travel to many destinations, near and far, and especially enjoyed family camping trips, to include boating, fishing, water skiing and many other fun family activities.
Irene had a great personality, was always fun to be with, and probably considered by most to be the light of any party. She was especially good at making friends easily, and made everyone feel welcome in her home. She loved to cook, and there was never a shortage of snacks or treats at ‘grandmas’ house.
Irene served faithfully in many church callings, but was especially fond of serving in the young women’s organization. Many of her young woman still love her and kept in touch with her up until she passed.
One of Irene’s favorite vacation spots was in Island Park, Idaho, where she and Owen were fortunate to be able to purchase a vacation home. They spent many summers (and some very cold winters) vacationing there with their family, and her children and grandchildren still have unforgettable experiences from that cabin they still share today. (Some cannot be repeated in public).
Owen and Irene spent so much time in Island Park after Owen retired, that they were called to serve as missionaries to Yellowstone Park, that they enjoyed immensely.
After Owens passing in 2001, Irene has continued to be a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Pat took great care of her, and she took good care of him as well.
The following are some examples of memories from her children and grandchildren that they remembered most about Irene:
Wendy’s high school friends always remember the cupboard to be full or Oreos and milk in the fridge.
Stacy’s friends always remembered her as spunky, classy, and always felt love by her.
Pat’s friends remember how she was everyone’s second mother.
One of Billy’s friends, Kawika always considered himself to be one of her grandsons.
Billy said she taught him how to play poker and blackjack.
Skyler said that when she and Owen lived with us for awhile, Irene would get up early and fix them breakfast and then grandpa would drive them to school.
Irene was so happy when Dani told her they named Dottie after her (her middle name).
Skyler said the house was always stocked with Fruity Pebbles
Stephanie loved her bronze blush, and her fur coats. She also said she loved when she scheduled to fix her hair, and then would call two or three times before to confirm the appointment.
Tori said when they played card games, Irene would cheat, and then pretend to be senile so she could win.
Isaac said he loved to go to Disneyland with just me, grandma, and Travis (and no one else).
Skyler loved that she was always around, and even his friends knew how great his grandmother was.
Everyone said they knew how much Irene loved Tab, and how it seemed her mental decline coincided with the absence of Tab in the stores.
She always stressed to the grandkids they needed to get their ‘lessons’ done before they could do anything (but rarely stuck to her word).
Jed said: Some of the greatest memories for us grandchildren were the many summers that we spent in Island Park, Fishing, dirt biking and Water Sports. We had Free range as kids to do all of these activities at a young age.
The Cabin was water front and we spent a lot of time doing water sports. In the evening times we would build a large fire then go out and ski until we couldn’t see. One evening all of us cousins were out water skiing on the lake. we came across a couple enjoying a nice evening canoe ride on the lake. We all thought it would be a great idea to drive by and the skier would spray the canoe as we went by. We did exactly that and all got a good laugh. As we came in for the night to dry off and sit by the camp fire, that couple paddled over to the cabin and was furious. Grandma came out and she wasn’t having it, she basically cussed the couple out and told them that this is a lake and they should expect to get wet. I’m sure as that couple left, they couldn’t believe what had just happened. Grandma stood up for us grand kids and didn’t care if we were in the wrong. Love you grandma.
Lexie said she loved dressing up at grandmas in her silk pajamas and furs, and using her Lancôme face lotion and learning how to throw a party. She loved watching Jazz games together, with grandma drinking her Tab. She always made me feel like a great person.
We will all miss Irene immensely, a truly unique person whom we all loved, and she loved us. However, her three favorite things in the whole world were probably Ritz, Scotty and Tab (and maybe Pat).
As a family, we want to thank the Covington Senior Living Center for the great care rendered, right up until her peaceful passing. Irene was hesitant to leave her home at first, but ultimately had a great experience at Covington the last few months of her life.
We are all better people having known and been a part of Irene’s life. Love you Grandma.