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Ida Mae (Smiley) Wright, 88

Ida Mae (Smiley) Wright, 88, died on May 27, 2018, at the Life Care Center in Post Falls, Idaho. Ida Mae was born in 1930 in Akron, Ohio, where she was raised by her aunt and uncle. She graduated from Buchtel High School in 1948.

She married James C. Wright, a Korean War veteran, in 1950 and they had three children, Dale, Chris and David. She was a full-time homemaker and a part-time secretary while her children were growing up. After her husband retired from General Tire, she moved to Wilmington, N.C. In 2002, she came to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where her niece, Ruth Pratt, resided, and she remained there until her death.

Ida Mae was treasured by all who knew her for her wonderful sense of humor, empathy and open-mindedness, skill at crossword puzzles, love of Big Band and jazz music, and above all, her adaptability and optimism in the face of life’s many changes. She was a “trooper” in every sense of the word!

Ida Mae will be forever loved and missed by her children, Dale Wright of Honolulu, Hawaii, Christine Wright of Houston, Texas, and David Wright of Atherton, Calif.; as well as her niece, Ruth Pratt of Coeur d’Alene; her four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Wright.

A family memorial service will be held for Ida Mae later. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the nonprofit of your choice.