Obituary for Virginia Lee Wright (Lee)
Virginia ("Jinny") Lee Wright died June 22, 2022, two days before her 90th birthday, at home where family was with her to the end. She was born June 24, 1932 in Minneapolis MN, was raised in Oak Park IL, and lived in Chicago and Evanston IL. Jinny attended Denison Univ. and Univ. of Illinois, graduating in 1954, obtaining a degree in Library Sciences. In 1956 she married her high-school sweetheart Jerry E. Wright (predeceased in 2020), and they moved to Corning NY in 1958. Jinny began her long career starting with the Arthur A. Houghton Jr. Library at Corning Community College, then transitioned to the Corning Museum of Glass - CMOG Rakow Library, with a career there that spanned 30 years, and included her role as Flood Recovery Specialist in the conservation of books and manuscripts after Hurricane Agnes in 1972.
For her generation, Jinny was an early pioneer of the full time working mom and wife, raising three children, all while being a creative, hardworking force - usually in teamwork with Jerry - personally making her community a better place. A "Woman Who Make a Difference" recipient, among other awards and recognitions, Jinny’s early perseverance to help champion the Market Street restoration effort to preserve historic buildings was one of her greatest joys. She was an original member and served various Board positions of the C-PP Historical Society (National Historic Landmarks leadership: Heritage Village, Painted Post-Erwin Depot Museum), was Girl Scout President of the Southern Tier Council, as well as Developer of Camp Misty Hollow, a Founding member of the Memorial Society of the Greater Corning Area, Advisory President of the Corning Community Foundation Human Services Committee, made lifelong contributions to the First United Methodist Church - Corning in roles as teacher, planner, on Administrative Boards, hosting the Research Group, overseeing the Stained Glass Window and the Copper Roof restoration, and ongoing Human Services projects including the "Mattress Ministry", held various Board positions for the American Association of University Women, Co-creator and Chair of the "Junior Theater Party", as well as was elected to the C-PP School District Board of Education. In retirement, she joined Jerry as a Corning Meals on Wheels volunteer.
Jinny was a patron of the arts, and involved the entire family in enjoying the Corning Philharmonic Orchestra, C-PP Civic Music, 171 Cedar Arts Center among others, was on the Originating Committee for the Suzuki Violin Method, and Parents Group for the C-PP Youth Orchestra. Jinny and Jerry developed a traveling series of slide shows and lectures highlighting local history and architecture on subjects as diverse as Frank Lloyd Wright and local historical characters, as well as architecture, and they also travelled extensively, camping/exploring with the family as the kids grew up and later together to multiple states and overseas, often with the CMOG touring group. Jinny was an inspired and creative cook, who was asked to test and then subsequently develop recipes for the new technology oven called the microwave using Corningware products, but steadfastly baked from scratch each Christmas multiple dozens of loaves of Julekaga bread as gifts for family and friends. For a few summers, Jinny welcomed to their home "Fresh Air Kids", and was part of the early Corning area Bi-racial Committee which sought to end local racial discriminatory practices.
Jinny is survived by her children: Peter (Stacey) Wright, Kathryn (Daniel) Gerwig and Alison Wright-Merkl; her grandchildren whom she adored: Kimberly Gerwig, Elizabeth "Liza" Gerwig and Natalea Wright; her brother John (Nora Mae) Gibson and sister Joyce (William) Schmoll, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family sincerely thanks the Visiting Angels team and Care First for their steadfast support. Per her wishes, Jinny’s body was donated to the Anatomical Gift Program at SUNY Upstate Medical University for use in medical teaching and research. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date. Please consider a donation in Jinny’s memory to C-PP Historical Society/Heritage Village at 59 W. Pulteney St. Corning NY 14830 or alternatively to Corning Meals on Wheels 144 Cedar St, Corning, NY 14830.
For her generation, Jinny was an early pioneer of the full time working mom and wife, raising three children, all while being a creative, hardworking force - usually in teamwork with Jerry - personally making her community a better place. A "Woman Who Make a Difference" recipient, among other awards and recognitions, Jinny’s early perseverance to help champion the Market Street restoration effort to preserve historic buildings was one of her greatest joys. She was an original member and served various Board positions of the C-PP Historical Society (National Historic Landmarks leadership: Heritage Village, Painted Post-Erwin Depot Museum), was Girl Scout President of the Southern Tier Council, as well as Developer of Camp Misty Hollow, a Founding member of the Memorial Society of the Greater Corning Area, Advisory President of the Corning Community Foundation Human Services Committee, made lifelong contributions to the First United Methodist Church - Corning in roles as teacher, planner, on Administrative Boards, hosting the Research Group, overseeing the Stained Glass Window and the Copper Roof restoration, and ongoing Human Services projects including the "Mattress Ministry", held various Board positions for the American Association of University Women, Co-creator and Chair of the "Junior Theater Party", as well as was elected to the C-PP School District Board of Education. In retirement, she joined Jerry as a Corning Meals on Wheels volunteer.
Jinny was a patron of the arts, and involved the entire family in enjoying the Corning Philharmonic Orchestra, C-PP Civic Music, 171 Cedar Arts Center among others, was on the Originating Committee for the Suzuki Violin Method, and Parents Group for the C-PP Youth Orchestra. Jinny and Jerry developed a traveling series of slide shows and lectures highlighting local history and architecture on subjects as diverse as Frank Lloyd Wright and local historical characters, as well as architecture, and they also travelled extensively, camping/exploring with the family as the kids grew up and later together to multiple states and overseas, often with the CMOG touring group. Jinny was an inspired and creative cook, who was asked to test and then subsequently develop recipes for the new technology oven called the microwave using Corningware products, but steadfastly baked from scratch each Christmas multiple dozens of loaves of Julekaga bread as gifts for family and friends. For a few summers, Jinny welcomed to their home "Fresh Air Kids", and was part of the early Corning area Bi-racial Committee which sought to end local racial discriminatory practices.
Jinny is survived by her children: Peter (Stacey) Wright, Kathryn (Daniel) Gerwig and Alison Wright-Merkl; her grandchildren whom she adored: Kimberly Gerwig, Elizabeth "Liza" Gerwig and Natalea Wright; her brother John (Nora Mae) Gibson and sister Joyce (William) Schmoll, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family sincerely thanks the Visiting Angels team and Care First for their steadfast support. Per her wishes, Jinny’s body was donated to the Anatomical Gift Program at SUNY Upstate Medical University for use in medical teaching and research. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date. Please consider a donation in Jinny’s memory to C-PP Historical Society/Heritage Village at 59 W. Pulteney St. Corning NY 14830 or alternatively to Corning Meals on Wheels 144 Cedar St, Corning, NY 14830.