Elizabeth Marie (Hansen) Wright was born on December 10, 1927, to Chris and Alma (Mickelson) Hansen. Her four grandparents came directly from Denmark.  She was raised on farms located in the Holbrook Valley near the town of Cheraw, Colorado.  Elizabeth was the youngest of four children:  her two older brothers were Richard and Hans; her older sister was Thelma.  Elizabeth attended the Mennonite and Methodist Churches in Cheraw.  In 1945, she graduated from Cheraw High School.

Elizabeth and Melvin Wright were married in the Cheraw Methodist Church on March 27, 1949.  Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics and Dietetics from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado; a Master of Science degree in Home Economics from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska; and the Doctor of Education degree from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Elizabeth taught homemaking and home economics part-time in the Evening Division at San Bernardino Valley College (San Bernardino, California) and she taught foods and nutrition full-time at Chaffey College (Rancho Cucamonga, California).  After retiring from Chaffey College as a full professor, she was a nutrition consultant for the San Bernardino County Office of the Aging.  In Lompoc, she taught nutrition part-time at Allan Hancock College until the age of 84 years.

Elizabeth and Melvin moved from San Bernardino to be nearer (at that time) to their four children and their families.  Their children are:  Kristen of Hood River, Oregon; Susan Castillo (Ron) of Carmel Valley; George (Laurie) of Solvang; Melvin Jr. (Darcy) of Tennessee.  Their grandchildren are Peter Wright and Stephanie Pongracz, Lauren Castro and Todd Anderson, and Evan and Erik Castillo.

Elizabeth was a member and deacon at the First Presbyterian Church; and later was active at the First United Methodist Church where she was in charge of preparing the elements for the communion services.  She was a member of the P.E.O., Chapter Nu where she worked continuously to obtain college scholarships for local women.

Elizabeth enjoyed making special dinners for family and friends, particularly for holidays and birthdays.  She enjoyed oil painting, gardening, and being a wife, mother, and grandmother.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 925 N. F Street, Lompoc, CA  93436.