JANICE HORNE WRIGHT

Janice Horne Wright passed away on June 9, 2018 at the Homestead Village Retirement

Community in Pensacola, Florida at the age of 101. Born in Pensacola, Jan was the

daughter of Frank and Effie Horne. Jan spent most of her adult life in Grosse Pointe,

Michigan with her beloved husband, the late Charles Wright III. She was also preceded in

death by her siblings, Suzanne Yarbrough, Winnie Merritt, Frank Horne, Lois Kemp, and

Louise Horne. She is survived by her children, Linda (Jim) Turek, Adena (David) Testa,

Chuck (Jenny) Wright, Louise (Curt Leibbrand) Wright, and Robin (Ron) Linzell. She also

leaves behind ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, her sister-in-law, Lenice

Horne, and three generations of nieces and nephews. Jan lived life to the fullest and

handled any adversity with strength and courage. She taught her children the importance

of kindness, tolerance, responsibility, and good manners. Large family gatherings,

especially picnics, gave her the greatest joy. Jan's sense of humor and outgoing

personality endeared her to a legion of friends. She told wonderful stories about her

experiences and liked offering pearls of wisdom such as, "There's no such thing as

boredom." She was proud to have voted in every presidential election beginning at the age

of eligibility. She had an indomitable spirit and sense of adventure, even riding on Disney

World's Space Mountain as an octogenarian. A lifelong learner, Jan challenged herself to

develop new skills and hobbies. She was an avid bridge player who constantly studied the

game. She was equally talented at the piano and the sewing machine. Gardening was

another avocation, and she delighted in flowers, often stopping along the way to rave

about beautiful blooms, crepe myrtle being a favorite. She had a passion for all the arts,

most of all music. She loved being part of the Wednesday Morning Music Club in Grosse

Pointe. When her children were grown, Jan became an ardent traveler. She took many

memorable trips, appreciating the world's wonders and diversity. She rode a camel in

Egypt and explored Europe on her own by Eurorail. A best friend for over two decades

was her Siamese cat, Trouble, who kept her company on many drives to and from Florida.

During her youth, Jan was a strong swimmer and fine basketball player. As an adult, she

enjoyed playing tennis. Always a big sports fan, Jan especially rooted for the Detroit

Tigers, and in later years, the Tampa Bay Rays and Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Jan devoted

much time to the service of others. As a member of Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, she

participated in the outreach ministry, taught Bible classes, chaired the fair one year, and

played in the handbell choir. She was elected as one of the first females to serve in the

positions of deacon and elder. She went on numerous church group mission trips, once

meeting Mother Teresa in India. Jan was a very active community volunteer. She served on

the board of directors of the Children's Home of Detroit well into her eighties. She helped

found a music school which was incorporated into the College for Creative Studies in

Detroit. Some of her happiest volunteer hours were spent at the Grosse Pointe

Neighborhood Club Thrift Shop. Her other affiliations included Tau Beta Association, the

Colonial Dames of America, Questors, the Country Club of Detroit, the Pensacola Country

Club, the Bridge Club of Pensacola, and First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola where a

memorial service for her will be held in September. Donations in Jan's memory may be

made to First Presbyterian Church, 33 East Gregory St., Pensacola, FL 32502, Grosse

Pointe Memorial Church, 16 Lakeshore Dr., Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236, or to a charity

of one's choice.