Abigail Mackenzie Wright

Fair winds and following seas to Abigail MacKenzie (Sturges) Wright (YNCS, Ret.), who died November 7, 2014, after a prolonged illness. Born January 18, 1950, to Frank and Cynthia (Shreve) Sturges, in Elmhurst, Illinois, Abigail was raised in Mobile, Alabama, and graduated in 1968 from The MacDuffie School for Girls in Springfield, MA. After high school, she attended The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) and The University of South Alabama in Mobile.
In 1968, she was presented at the New York City International Debutante Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, and then traveled the United States, landing in San Francisco and spending time in Haight-Ashbury. Back in Mobile, she worked for law firms and made her debut in 1972 with the Mobile Carnival Association, before joining the United States Navy in 1973.
Over the next 25 years Abigail had a distinguished naval career, writing for numerous Rear Admirals in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Norfolk, Virginia; and Washington, DC. In 1977, she was selected as Sailor of the Year, CINCPAC. In 1996, she graduated with distinction at the Air Force Senior NCO Academy in Montgomery AL. During her long career as a Navy Senior Chief, she earned numerous awards, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Commendation Medal, before retiring in 1998.
She then moved with her family to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where she worked for Daily Express, Inc, as Executive Assistant to the President, and later as Reciprocity Manager. Abigail was a Life Member of the Embroiderer's Guild of America and served on several boards for the Guild's Molly Pitcher Stitchers' chapter in Carlisle. Abigail was pursuing her Master Craftsman certification in counted-thread embroidery. Business owner, philanthropist, tutor, collector and sharer of trivia, her artistic endeavors included ceramics, crochet, embroidery, and origami. She was proficient at shorthand and was teaching herself to read Braille.

Abigail met her husband, John Henry Wright, in the Navy and they were happily married and best friends for over 30 years. Their daughter, Morgan MacKenzie Wright-Bostick, serves in the United States Air Force and is currently stationed in England. Their son, Nathaniel Penn Wright, served in the United States Navy and is attending Shimer College in Chicago. Also surviving are Abigail's brothers, Frank Sturges IV (Moss Point, Mississippi), Randall Sturges (Los Angeles, California) and sister Bradley Sturges Berger (New Canaan, Connecticut), and their families.

Abigail was a member of the Unitarian Universalists of Cumberland Valley, in Boiling Springs. Her philosophy was to Firmly Rely On God, and every FROG she collected was a prayer. Although retired from the Navy, her heart was ever on active duty. She now rests forever with the Supreme Commander.

Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 219 North Hanover Street, Carlisle is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

To sign the guest book visit www.hoffmanroth.com