June 13, 1935 – April 25, 2023 (age 87)
Newburgh, NY
Dora Wright, beloved mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, aunt (Tante) and friend passed away on April 25, 2023 at the age of 87. Dora was born on June 13, 1935 to Karl and Martha (Haselbauer) Friedrich in Nejdek, Czech Republic.
Dora met her husband Jim in Germany where he was stationed in the U.S. Army. They were
married on June 11, 1955 in Germany before moving to New York when Jim’s tour was over.
On July 30, 1955, they arrived in New York and settled in the Hudson Valley where they raised their family and began a life devoted to their community.
Dora was a certified Master Gardener, a long time volunteer at the Orange County Arboretum, a member of the Community Garden Club of Newburgh, as well as many other community and civic organizations in the Hudson Valley. She had deep roots in the community and could often be seen planting flowers throughout the Newburgh and New Windsor area at local memorials and monuments.
Dora strongly supported and worked diligently for dignity and equal opportunities for persons
with disabilities. Dora was instrumental in starting the first group home for people with
disabilities in the Newburgh area, and was a strong advocate for the betterment of services and programs for their lives. She devoted her life to serving her community, and nurturing and caring for her family. Her role continued until just recently, as she cared for Carol until her health declined.
Dora leaves behind to cherish her memory her beloved daughter, Carol Ann; her cherished
grandsons, James Wright of New Windsor and Jordan Wright of Denver, Colorado; her devoted son-in-law Jack St. John of New Windsor; her loving nieces, Kathleen Fabrizio and husband Anthony, Nancy Miller and husband Fred, Margo Klein, and Ursula Wifling; her great-nieces Kristen (Matt) Eckert, Kayla (Pascal) Garczynski, Katelyn Fabrizio, Heather and Lindsay Stelling;and great nephew, Myles Stelling.
Dora was predeceased by her husband, James Wright; her daughter, Mary Ellen Wright; her son and daughter-in-law, Gregg and Hillary Wright; and her sisters, Anna, Clara and Trudl.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery in New Windsor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dora’s name to the Lustgarten
Foundation or the Orange County Arboretum.
