Patricia Jo Wright

Patricia (Trish) Jo Wright 

July 7, 1952 ~ August 11, 2025 (age 73)

A college professor, business owner, journalist and community leader, Patricia (Trish) Jo Wright, 73, of Boyne City passed away in her home surrounded by friends and family on Monday, August 11, 2025. Trish was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 7, 1952 to proud parents Patricia Joan and Richard Wright. 

Partially due to moving often in a military family as a child, Trish was at home with all types of people. She loved to care for all animals, teach, write, read, cook, entertain, and discuss world issues, politics and philosophy. Trish was an advocate of women’s rights as well as the dignity of the individual. She was a deep thinker whose lifelong education came from myriad sources, in addition to Central Michigan University where she earned her master's degree in Humanities.

Trish and friend Mary Lynne Hartwell traveled west to San Francisco, where they had many adventures as young adults. Upon her return to Boyne City, Trish became the advertising manager for the Charlevoix Courier, and then a news and column writer for the Charlevoix County Press. In a whirlwind romance, she married Archibald Wright II, her lifelong partner for 45 years. Trish became part owner of Finelines Advertising Agency, where she wrote freelance articles for several Michigan industries and real estate companies. 

Trish excelled at nearly everything she did. True to form, when she became an English professor at North Central Michigan College, she won the Teacher of the Year award three times. In addition to her full-time teaching position, she revived the student newspaper and served as its advisor. 

An active Boyne City community member, Trish supported several organizations with her time, talents, and donations. She served on the boards of the Boyne District Library and the Charlevoix Area Humane Society. A strong lifelong supporter of the Charlevoix Area Humane Society and its mission, Trish was instrumental in persuading the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners to procure the Humane Society’s current building in Boyne City in the late 1990s. She showed Commissioner Phil Johnson the substandard conditions at the organization’s early facility in Charlevoix and convinced him to lead an effort to get larger and better quarters for the animals. 

More recently, she was one of the volunteers who spearheaded getting initial city approvals for the establishment of the current Ridge Run Dog Park in Boyne City. For many years, she also helped with fundraising for Grandvue Medical Center. In her last year, Trish was the keynote speaker helping to raise funds for Munson Charlevoix Hospital. 

Trish was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 45 years, Archibald Wright II, and son Christopher Cornell Wright.

Trish is remembered by: her son Archibald Wright III and daughter-in-law Julie; her grandchildren Archibald IV (Van) and Lexi Wright; her daughter Spring Duan; daughter-in-law Leslie Wright; brother Richard Wright, sister-in-law Robin Wright, and nieces Sarah and Rachael Wright, godson Richard Hartwell, and cousin Judy Bonne. 

A memorial celebration for both Trish and Arch Wright will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church on Monday, August 25 at 2 p.m.

Donations in Trish’s memory can be made to the Charlevoix Area Humane Society in Boyne City or the Grandvue Auxiliary of Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan.