By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ms. Wright

Patricia Delores Wright carried on her family's legacy of working for civil rights.

One of the daughters of Samuel Ross Wright, former Cincinnati NAACP president, she likewise worked for the organization, participating in voter registration drives.

"She felt voting was among the highest levels of civic contribution a citizen can make," said her son, Ross Anthony Wright of Roselawn.

Ms. Wright, 56, was also active with the Congress of Racial Equality and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, investigating discrimination allegations.

The Roselawn resident died Monday morning of cancer at Christ Hospital.

She was on medical leave from her job as unit coordinator at Jewish Hospital. She had hoped to return to work in the spring.

"She didn't have a `Woe is me, why me?' attitude," her son said. "She didn't seek any sort of pity." Instead she kept her faith in God and enjoyed her life to the end.

Born in Chicago in 1946, Ms. Wright graduated from Woodward High School in 1964 and received an associate's degree in social work and psychology from the University of Cincinnati.

Her intelligence was respected by her parents and eight siblings, her son said.

"Not only was she smart, but she was athletic," he added. "One of her proudest childhood accomplishments was her stunning victory in a track race that everyone predicted she would lose."

In her younger years, Ms. Wright worked as an operator for Cincinnati Bell and as a coordinator for the Cincinnati Recreation Commission.

She worked at Jewish Hospital for 17 years.

Although she grew up attending church, she rededicated herself to Christ last summer. A member of New Vision United Methodist Church in Walnut Hills, she was a member of the Vessels of Praise Choir, the discipleship class and the Tuesday night Bible study. She was also a liturgist.

"She implemented the teachings of Christ in her day-to-day living by devoting her time, talents and energies toward the upliftment of others, particularly young people," her son said.

Ms. Wright was an avid reader who loved to do poetry readings and perform in theatrical productions.

In addition to her son, Ross Anthony Wright, survivors include: two brothers, Booker Dubois Wright Sr. of Bond Hill and Joseph Edward Barrington Wright of Atlanta; five sisters, Victoria Wright Holloway of Blue Ash, Rose Beatrice Wright of Bond Hill, Frances Elaine Gathings and Beverly Gail Granata, both of Chicago, and Diane Yvonne Hollowayof Roselawn; her stepmother, Odell Wright of Silverton; and two grandsons.

The wake is 10 a.m. Saturday at New Vision United Methodist Church in Walnut Hills, followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials: Samuel Ross Wright Scholarship Fund, c/o New Vision United Methodist Church, 3025 Walter Ave., Cincinnati 45206.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com