Melba Wright

Melba Dahl Wright, 90, passed away Friday, September 9, 2016, at her daughter’s home in Vancouver, Washington.

Melba was born May 9, 1926, in her Grandma Dahl’s home in West Point, Utah, to Ray and Bessie Thurgood Dahl. She grew up helping her father milk the cows, learning to bake with her mother and riding horses with her little brother, Claude T. Dahl.

She married her high school sweetheart, Frank M. Wright, July 9, 1943, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. She was the mother of "just seven" children (as Frank always said): Evelyn (Don) Nelson of Beaverton, OR; Nadine Haddock of San Diego, CA; Steve (Mary) Wright of Crossville, TN; Barb (Tony) Morris of Boise, ID; Doug (Kathy) Wright of American Falls, ID; Janelle (Larry) Bennett of St. Anthony, ID; and Shelly Wright of Vancouver, WA. She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, her husband, Frank, and her son, Doug. This loving family then blessed Melba with 22 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Melba and Frank raised their "just seven" children in American Falls, Idaho, from 1955 to 1988, when Frank’s job with General Mills moved them to Idaho Falls. After Frank’s death May 10, 1999, Melba lived alone for awhile, learning to enjoy the friendships of other single women, playing cards and dominoes, laughing, shopping and eating out. Then she lived with each of her children from 2006 until her death.

Melba worked at Harms Memorial Hospital in American Falls and then helped open the Idaho Falls Surgical Center, where she worked as a medical coder until her retirement.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as Primary President, Relief Society Counselor and Ward Organist in many wards. Melba was privileged to accompany the Singing Mothers in the Salt Lake Tabernacle and share the stories of her heritage with the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Melba was many things to many people with her gifts of intelligence, curiosity, quick wit and loving heart. She learned to play piano from her aunt as a young girl and gave the gift of music to her children. Quilting, cooking, baking, canning, sewing, needlework, crafting, reading, were a few of the things she loved to do and share with her family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday prior to services. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park.

Funeral Services will be held