Marjorie Wright was born and grew upon on a farm in Saskatchewan. She graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with a specialty in Public Health, being awarded the Medal in Nursing her final year of studies...
Blessed with a spirit of adventure, her first job as a public health nurse was with the federal government in Inuvik, a small community located over 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle. At that time there were no outside roads to Inuvik, no outside telephones, no TV, and only one radio station. On a regular basis, she flew out with the “bush pilots” (a misnomer, as Inuvik is north of the tree line) to outside Eskimo settlements to carry out her duties.
On her first day there, she was introduced by her director to a young man who was to become her husband. After fifty-one years of marriage, they have now three children, six grandchildren, three grand-dogs, and one grand-kitty.
After leaving the North, Marjorie worked at the Edmonton Health Center as the Nurse in Charge, and then as the Assistant Director of Nursing in a 300-bed hospital. This was followed by a career hiatus while her children were young. Staying involved during this time, she volunteered as the Nurse Consultant for the New Brunswick Lung Association and became its first woman president. Also during this time, she also was a member of the county’s Board of Home Care, and president of her community’s Taxpayers Association,
Upon moving to Illinois where her husband worked as a surgeon, she spent over 20 years working in management with a Medicare sub-contractor. During this time, she was highly involved in her community. At its Annual Dinner, the Chamber of Commerce presented her the Citizen of the Year award.
Marjorie joined Rotary over 20 years ago in Marion, Illinois, where she held every club position, including president. She served three years as Assistant Governor in District 6510. When she started “snow birding” in Sun Lakes in 2008, she regularly attended the Sun Lakes Rotary Club as a Frequent Visitor. Upon moving permanently to Sun Lakes, she joined this club as an active member. Since then, she has served this club in the positions of co-lead of the Pancake Breakfast, as treasurer, and as president. Over the years, Rotary membership has not only helped fulfill her need to help others, but it has also resulted in many years of great fellowship and continued learning through its weekly club programs.
Marjorie continues to be active in other areas of the community. Since moving here permanently in 2011, besides with serving as Rotary president, she has been a Council Member of New Adventures in Learning (NAIL), president of the Sun Lakes Garden Club, president of the East Valley American Association of University Women (AAUW), and is currently president-elect of the Sun Lakes United Methodist’s women’s group (UMW).
