Teresa Marie Wright

With great sorrow, we announce the loss of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Teresa Marie Wright at the age of 67.  Teresa died on March 29, 2023, as her body succumbed to lung disease induced by years of smoking, despite having spent the last 18 years smoke-free.

Teresa was born in Havre, MT on November 22, 1955, to Buster and Rose Brown and was raised in Great Falls. She was born the 4th of 7 children. Teresa and her siblings were raised by her mother after the tragic loss of their father in 1962.  The Brown children attended Great Falls Catholic Schools, Saint Mary’s, and Central High. Despite the challenges of being raised by a widowed mother in the 60s, the kids had many adventures and fond memories, and “Tad” (as her sisters called her) developed an impenetrable bond with her family. When a sibling would venture out to places like Missoula or Seattle, the others would soon follow.  However, they never stayed away for long as Great Falls was where their sweet mother remained until the end of her days.

When Teresa became an aunt, her true purpose became clear. She lived to love, teach, and provide a moral compass for children. She occupied the role of nanny for several of her nieces and nephews before becoming a mother herself when she gave birth to her eldest daughter, Lucy, in 1980.
Teresa attended Vo-Tech in Great Falls, earning a certificate in bookkeeping which resulted in a position at Brady Construction where she met her future husband, Jack Wright. Her youngest child, Jackie, was born in 1986, and soon after the family moved to Havre so Teresa could pursue her passion and obtain a degree as a teacher. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1992 and soon thereafter got a job in Miles City, MT working in special education in local public schools (1993-1997). In 1998 Jack and Teresa separated, and she and her girls returned home to be near her mother and sisters in Great Falls. Her last years of working were spent in clerical roles at both World-Wide Press (1998-2005) and National Electronics Warranties (2005-2014).

Teresa had many hobbies and interests and was known to be a bit of a pool shark in her early adult years.  She could bead, crochet, restore antique furniture, cook, and grow a beautiful garden. She loved to teach, tend to her houseplants, and listen to music.  She had a preference for classic country and ’60s roll and roll.  Teresa was a veracious reader with a fondness for true crime and Steven King novels.  Teresa did everything she could to provide for her daughters while instilling the value of hard work and education; their lives reflect those core values. She was very proud of her grandchildren and she had a special bond with all 3; each relationship molding to their unique personalities. Teresa cared deeply for those she was close to and always had an open door.  She took in many friends of Lucy and Jackie as well as her nieces and nephews over the years.  Teresa cared deeply for those she was close to and often said what was on her mind.  We will miss her warm embrace, her classic laugh, and her dry sense of humor.

Teresa and her family express gratitude for the care provided by Dr. Kevin McCrea and Jason Kjono PA, as well as those at Sletten Cancer Institute and Benefis Peace Hospice.  However difficult the last 6 months of her life were, Teresa, her sister Marilou and her daughters rallied and cherished the time spent together. It was a beautiful depiction of familial devotion and love.  Teresa resisted her fate, only because she was worried about leaving the girls without their mom, but often said she knew she was going to Heaven and that they would be joined again.

Teresa is survived by her two children, Lucy (Grant) Stelling and Jackie (Monica) Brown; and three grandchildren, Aiden (13), Abby (9), and Alexander (6) all of Great Falls.  She is also survived by a brother, Perry (Ruth) Brown of Chinook; and three sisters, Marilou (Pat) Hatler of Great Falls, Rosie (Craig) Wilson of Lakeside, Betty (Herbie) LaFountain-Couture of Pablo; as well as many nieces and nephews.  Teresa was preceded in death by both her parents and her sisters, Ramona Galyan and Margaret Wieder.

A celebration of life will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.