Clarice J. Wright, 85

Clarice J. Wright, a resident of Boise, Idaho, passed away March 30, 2016. She was born Clarice Jeneal Ward in 1930, in Blackfoot, Idaho, the youngest of nine children of John Logan Ward and Clara Sophia Sommercorn.

She attended school in Blackfoot, where she excelled in math and music. Music was her first love. She became an exceptional pianist and singer, and also developed acting skills. Throughout her life she enjoyed performing on the piano or organ, singing or acting in community theaters. She taught piano and organ lessons for many years. She shared her musical abilities by providing music at church services, and later sang in a trio with her two best friends.

Clarice learned to work early in life. As a teenager she worked in a five and dime store, played the piano for a music teacher, and worked in the local movie theater.

During this time, she met her future husband, Kenneth Dean Wright. They frequently went out dancing together; it was at one of those dances that Ken proposed marriage. They married Aug. 13, 1948, in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. After a brief stay in Blackfoot, they moved to Logan, Utah, where Ken attended college. They moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1950 after Ken’s graduation.

Together they raised five children. Clarice was a devoted mother, loving, caring and compassionate. At times she helped support the family by assisting Ken in his business, or other part-time work. Clarice and Ken loved to travel, and took their family on many memorable vacations. Her family was her first priority. She taught her children to work hard, be honest, and to be kind and considerate of others. She taught by word and example how to live a good life.

She also gave lifelong service in many capacities as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her love of God and her Savior were evident in a life of helping and serving others. After Ken’s death, she served a church mission in Tallahassee, Fla. After returning, she moved to Boise where she met and married Blaine Sessions in 1994. She shared her life with Blaine until he passed away.

Clarice is survived by son Kevin Wright of Spokane, Wash.; son Greg Wright of Lewiston, Idaho; daughter Linda Threlfall of Provo, Utah; daughter Melodie Patton of Boise; son David Wright of Meridian, Idaho; and numerous grand and great-grandchildren. Clarice was preceded in death by husband Ken and grandson Jeffrey Patton; as well as her eight siblings.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in the Rosecreek Ward LDS Chapel, 3700 S. Maple Grove Road, Boise. The family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the Relyea Funeral Chapel and from 10-10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the church prior to the services. Graveside services will be held at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens in Coeur d’Alene. Services are under the direction of the Relyea Funeral Chapel, Boise.