Claire M. Wright, 95, a former longtime resident of Chatham, died on April 13, 2026.
Born and raised in Perth Amboy, N.J., Claire was the eldest of John and Elizabeth Benus’ two daughters. She graduated from Perth Amboy High School in 1948 and shortly afterwards became a secretary for Merck Company in NYC. She loved to tell her grandchildren how she took the ferry into the city every day and about all the shows she went to at MSG. She married John M. Wright in 1958 and moved to Delaware where she was an active member of IHM for decades, attending mass and volunteering in various roles.
Claire and John raised two sons in a happy, loving home where all were welcome. She loved traveling with her family, and she also relished the time spent on annual vacations with friends in New Hampshire. She was active in multiple bridge clubs and bowled every week. Later in life, Claire and John looked forward to their monthly Atlantic City trips and always shared her slot machine winnings with her grandchildren.
On most days, you could find Claire on the porch reading or watching her beloved Phillies. Claire’s greatest joy were her five grandchildren, and she was a faithful attendee at their concerts, dance recitals, shows and sporting events.
Claire is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, John. She is survived by her son, John Wright, Jr. (Laura) of Richmond, VA and her son, Bob Wright (Mary) of Wilmington; her sister, Janet of Tennessee; and her grandchildren: Katherine, Sean (Amanda), Susannah (Luther), Graham and Julia.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30am, Monday, April 20 at IHM Catholic Church with burial to follow at St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine Cemetery.
The family suggests honoring Claire’s memory by contributing to IHM or to one of the wonderful hospice care companies who did such a great job caring for her – Compassionate Care Hospice and Vitas Healthcare Corporation.
