Eleda 'Margaret' Wright
Eleda "Margaret" Wright passed away peacefully the evening of November 26, 2022.
Margaret was born April 26, 1943, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to parents Edward and Eleanore Ashworth. After her parents divorced, Margaret and her twin brother, Robert, moved to San Diego, California, with their mother, where Eleanore married Clinton Gatewood in 1957. Together they had two daughters, Ann and Kathy, bringing siblings to Margaret and Robert.
Margaret met Paul Clifford Detchon in 1963 and, after a "long" courtship of about two weeks, eloped in Reno. A year later, they introduced their first baby girl, Mary Margaret, followed by their second daughter, Cynthia Lynn.
After time as a stay-at-home mom, Margaret began her career in various office positions, including an office manager at Sears when the Clackamas Town Center opened in 1980. When she was laid off as the last full-time employee, she thought she would take some time off before returning to the workforce. However, when she filed for unemployment, the Oregon Employment Division offered her a job. Margaret retired from there 12 years later!
Margaret lost her husband, Paul, in 2000. After much persuasion to find a social outlet, Margaret joined the Oregon City Elks Lodge in 2005. Margaret was an avid volunteer, spending countless hours for the community, raising funds for student scholarships, and facilitating activities for the Elks. When the building at Elks Park was damaged, Margaret took on the role of project manager and oversaw the entire process of rebuilding the facility. As a result, it was recently named The Margaret Wright Dining Hall.
It was at the Elks Lodge where Margaret met and fell in love with Michael Wright. They were married in their daughter's backyard on 10.10.10, at a surprise wedding where guests were invited to a "backyard barbecue." The two were inseparable and brought joy and laughter to anyone in their company, whether at an Elks function, a backyard bbq with friends, or a family gathering.
Besides her work at the Elks Lodge, Margaret enjoyed animals (especially cats), dancing, giving gifts, and outings with friends, but her greatest interest was always her family. She loved social gatherings and time with her daughters and her grandchildren. Always gracious, kind, and with a wicked sense of humor, she will forever be loved and greatly missed.
Margaret is survived by her two children: Mary and Cindy; four grandchildren, Erin, Carina, Danika, and Diego; and her two sisters: Ann and Kathy, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both husbands, Paul and Michael, and her brother, Robert.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Oregon City Elks Lodge on Friday, December 16, at 11 AM.
Donations may be made to the Oregon City Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund.
