OBITUARY:
SALEM - Janice Mary Coffel Wright was a smart, thrifty, forthright, and loving woman whose life was centered around family.
She was born of pioneer stock on May 1, 1936 to Arnold and Vina (Emmett) Coffel, who lived on Glen Creek Road in West Salem. Jan enjoyed a country childhood and graduated from high school at age 16, having skipped a grade.
She met a boy from neighboring Silverton who would become her life partner. She and Loel Beach Wright were married on August 1, 1954 at the Silverton United Methodist Church. They were a deeply devoted couple for more than 54 years.
They lived in Keizer until 1968 when they moved to Spokane, Wash. In 1994, they moved to the Salemtowne retirement community, just a few miles from Jan's childhood home.
They loved to travel, taking four trips to Europe and enjoying several cruises. They also visited all 50 states. Jan had a special place in her heart for the Oregon Coast.
For more than 25 years, she worked as a tax consultant for H&R Block, where her knowledge and service won her many loyal customers. Much of her earnings underwrote her three children's college educations.
She is remembered for her dozens of hand-stitched quilts; her talents as a cook and canner; her passion for genealogy and Oregon Trail history; her legendary ability to recall family history in detail; her mastery of crossword puzzles, Jeopardy and board games; and her 50-year devotion to "As the World Turns." Most of all, she leaves a legacy of selflessness and support for others.
She is survived by her two sons, Jeffrey and Gregory; and her daughter, Jill; and her four grandchildren, Derrick, Sarah, Thomas, and Leah, all of whom she loved dearly and were the most important people in her life. She is also survived by her husband; her sister, Marion Taylor of Keizer; and her brother, Steve Coffel of Montana.
Jan died after a brave battle with lung cancer. A private graveside service will be held at Zena Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to friends of Salemtowne or Willamette Valley Hospice.
Statesman Journal 13 Jan 2009
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