Lenaire Jean Botting Wright

Lenaire Wright, 93, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024. Lenaire was born on March 3, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of Leonard and Claire Corson Botting. Lenaire’s name was created from her parents’ names, Len and Claire. She had an older sister, Betty-Claire Wilson (d. 1996). Lenaire attended high school in Middletown, NY and graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. While in college, Lenaire met her love, Edward Stewart Wright, and they were married in 1951 for 70 glorious years until Ed passed away in 2021. Lenaire’s married life was one of adventure, joy and courage as she supported Ed and his career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and an engineer at United Technologies and John Deere. They moved 28 times to 11 different locales throughout Ed’s 40-year career, including Maryland, Alabama, Japan (Okinawa), New York, Ohio, Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois and Colorado. In addition to raising three sons and a Golden Retriever, Lenaire worked as a kindergarten teacher, secretary and manager of a thrift shop. Instead of feeling burdened by the multiple relocations, Lenaire embraced the challenges with an outgoing, adventurous and lively spirit. She collected lifelong friends wherever she lived and travelled. It was Lenaire’s special gift to make everyone she met feel noticed and appreciated. Lenaire and Ed retired to Denver, CO in 1991 to join their sons and families.

The foundation of Lenaire’s life was her love, commitment and respect for her husband, Ed. Together they were adventurers travelling world-wide, canoeing, camping, sailing, skiing and playing tennis well into their late 80s. Lenaire and Ed simply adored each other. Lovingly known as Grandmère, Lenaire was a guiding light, thoughtful listener and enthusiastic cheerleader to her many grandkids. After Ed became a paraplegic at 77 years old, Lenaire again embraced the challenges of assisting Ed with courage, grace and loving devotion. Her positive and joyful attitude was an inspiration, admired by all who knew her. It’s been amazing to have grown up in the presence of such love and wisdom. Lenaire leaves a loving family including sons: Jeffry (Paula Daukas), Jody (Betsy Wright), Bill (Sandy McCleland); five grandchildren: Dustin (Cortney Patterson), Peter, Abigail (Forbes Miner), Lila, Sophia, and four great grandchildren: Emma, Avery, Emilia and Isla.

A Celebration of Life is planned for May 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM at the Washington Park Boathouse in Denver, CO. 

Charitable contributions in memory of Lenaire may be made to Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-rocky-mountains/get-involved/donate