Kathleen Suzanne Wright

Kathleen Suzanne Wright of Corona, California passed away on September 15, 2025, in Riverside, California after a long illness. In keeping with her quirky sense of irony, Kathy died on her 73rd birthday.

Kathy was born on September 15, 1952, in Whittier, California. While growing up in Whittier, she was active in the Girl Scouts and enjoyed many family camping vacations to Red’s Meadows and June Lake in California’s Sierras. Her family moved to Corona in 1969. Her parents, the late Neal and Helen Wright, were both educators in the Corona Norco Unified School District.

Kathy was active in many clubs and groups at Corona High School, from which she graduated in 1970. She attended the University of Redlands, majoring in Multiple Subjects/Elementary Education. While there, she was very active in her sorority, Alpha Theta Phi. She graduated from Redlands in 1974, and began her teaching career in Apple Valley, California. She completed her Master's of Science in Education Administration at California State College in Fullerton and then went on to obtain her Doctorate Degree in Organizational Leadership at the University of La Verne.

Kathy taught in various school districts in Southern California and ultimately became a principal. She advanced to become an Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Curriculum for the Sulphur Springs School District from which she retired in 2011. At that time, she returned to Corona to help her sister care for her mother who was very ill.

Whatever her endeavor, Kathy was passionate and fully dedicated. She was an avid reader, and a beautiful seamstress. She loved sewing and crafts and made exquisite pillows which she happily gifted to others. Her devotion to education led her to participate in her mother’s P.E.O. Chapter KE in Corona. The purpose of P.E.O. is to promote the education and betterment of girls and women, raising funds for scholarships, grants and loans. After her mother’s death, Kathy and her sister created the Helen H. Wright Scholarship which has benefitted several young women over the last few years. Her vivacious and proactive personality steered her towards leadership. She served as the chapter’s President and was honored as a “Golden Girl” in 2021, after serving in P.E.O. for fifty years. She held several positions on the P.E.O. California State Board in recent years but sadly was forced to resign due to her last illness.

Kathy was also very involved in the Friends of the Corona Public Library, serving as the Executive Board President for six years. The Friends raise funds for the library and provide many programs and services to the public as well. Not surprisingly, Kathy was an integral part of suggesting, designing and promoting many of them.

Kathy is survived by her loving sister, Diane Wright and several cousins, and leaves behind many caring friends near and afar.

Services will be held on Monday, October 20, at 1 p.m., at the First Congregational Church of Christ located at 809 Ramona Ave., Corona, California, 92879. A small reception will be held at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers, Diane has suggested a donation to the Helen H. Wright Scholarship Fund, or to the Friends of the Corona Public Library. Please email TNTJaggers1957@gmail.com for exact addresses.