Ila Ree Wright, 85, died at her home, May 1, 2005, surrounded by her loving family, after a long illness.

She was born June 21, 1919, in Wellsville, Utah, the daughter of David L. and Sarah Cooper Maughan. She married LaMar J. Wright on August 8, 1945, in the Logan LDS Temple. LaMar passed away on January 13, 1985. They were the parents of four children.

She was a lifelong resident of Wellsville. She attended Wellsville schools, then graduated from South Cache High School and Utah State University. She taught school for 2 years in Preston, Idaho and 27 years for the Cache County School District at Wellsville Elementary. After she retired from teaching she worked for Utah State University in the Department of Education, supervising student teachers.

She loved teaching and was a great educator. She was known for her expertise in teaching reading, math, times tables, and choral readings. She helped develop a statewide tutorial program to help children with reading difficulties. She was Chairman of the Cache County Reading Textbook Committee, wrote and operated an individual math program, gave many seminars on teaching reading, was Outstanding Teacher of the Year for Wellsville Elementary, and was selected by the International Reading Association and Cache Valley Reading Council in 1985 to receive the annual Celebrate Literacy Award.

She was currently a member of the Wellsville 4th Ward. She has held many ward and stake positions in the Sunday School, Primary, Mutual, and Relief Society organizations. She also served as an officiator in the Logan LDS Temple for 10 years.

Her life was a life of service to family and others. Her community service was extensive. She was a member of the Mayor Wives Association, the Wellsville Foundation to preserve the tabernacle, the Wellsville Fireman’s Ladies Auxillary, the Peter Maughan Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and the Wellsville Literary Club. She received the Wellsville Outstanding Citizen Award on September 7, 1996, at the annual Labor Day meeting for the many services she had rendered to Wellsville City and its citizens.

One of her favorite past times was sports. She was a member of the Big Blue Club, loved to play golf with her friends each week, and was an avid fan of the Utah Jazz. She also enjoyed spending time in the summer with friends and family at her cabin in Bear Lake and spent her winters in Mesa, Arizona. She had a great sense of humor and a positive attitude in life.

Everyone always felt better after her visits.

She is survived by her children, Stephen Wright of Mt. Sterling, UT, Robert Wright of Pocatello Valley, ID, Susan (Craig) Petersen of Newton, UT, Paula (Rickey) Anderson of Wellsville, UT; 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother: Webster (Connie) Maughan of Preston, ID and two sisters-in law, Clara Maughan of Wellsville, UT, Carma Parker of Ogden, UT.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LaMar J. Wright; her parents, David and Sarah Maughan; three brothers, Howard Maughan, Lee Maughan, and Lowell Maughan; and her dear friend and sister-in-law, Venice Maughan.

The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Cunningham and the staff of IHC Hospice who so lovingly and tenderly cared for their mother.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at the Wellsville Stake Center, 10 South Center, Wellsville. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center, Logan, and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, at the church, prior to services. Burial will be in the Wellsville City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Wellsville Foundation for the preservation of the Tabernacle, P.O. Box 166, Wellsville, Utah, 84339.