Ann S. Wright's Obituary
Ann Schleuniger Wright, 97, a longtime resident of Cinnaminson, NJ, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 27, 2026.
Born on September 10, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio, Ann was the daughter of Frank Steven and Alice Lee Schleuniger (née Dove). She grew up in Shaker Heights and received her college degree from the Maryland College for Women. She was married to Robert Trevor Wright from 1952 until his unexpected passing in 1972, a loss she met with the same strength and resilience that defined her life.
Ann is survived by her three children, Jane Claire Wright Vincent (Andy) of Wilmington, DE, Robert Trevor Wright Jr. (Martha) of Upland, CA, and Amy Wright (Hank) of Cinnaminson, NJ. She adored her grandchildren, Sarah Dove Long (Jason), Alice Claire Vincent, Robert Trevor Wright III, and Adam Wesley Wright, and will be deeply missed by nieces, nephews, extended family, and many dear friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Joan Crooks. As the matriarch of the family, Ann was the last of a glorious generation.
Ann was a master at bringing people together and making them feel warm and welcome—her home was a favorite gathering place. She was a Girl Scout troop leader and was notorious for her amazing Room Mother treats and crafts. She hosted unforgettable parties and looked forward to a daily happy hour—especially if it included a Manhattan. If you played in a golf tournament that she organized, you were amazed at the time and attention she devoted to every detail. A gracious hostess and exceptional cook, she made everyone feel special.
Ann brought the same focus to students at the Media Center at Cinnaminson Middle School, where she worked until she was 73. She made learning an adventure. She saw every film and read every book in the library so she could recommend stories to students. Whether bringing in a life-size sarcophagus to make history come alive or playfully flicking rubber bands at students to keep them on their toes, she created lasting memories and inspired a lifelong love of learning.
Ann embraced life with enthusiasm. A three-sport athlete in high school, she excelled at sports and competition. She picked up golf after college and continued playing throughout her life, still at the top of her game at age 89, when she and Amy won the Member-Member Championship at Riverton Country Club. Her love of sports remained throughout her life as she faithfully cheered on the Philadelphia Phillies and her beloved Cleveland Indians. Ann was an accomplished marksman; she could outshoot just about anyone with a shotgun. She also bowled, played bocce, badminton, and cornhole, and rode jet skis, continuing many of these activities until the last few months of her life.
Beyond her competitive spirit, she was a talented gardener, a skilled crafter, and a master card player whose competitive spirit usually resulted in a win! She cherished her book club and bridge group, and chuckled about the success of playing cards the “old” way—she loved the camaraderie of those spectacular women. Ann was a great dancer (unfortunately not passing that skill to her children) and was prepared to get on the dance floor at the drop of a hat.
One of Ann’s greatest gifts was her creativity and the unforgettable memories she created to make the people around her feel special. For birthdays, she designed elaborate experiences—often picture books, folded money, or elaborate treasure and scavenger hunts. Trevor and Adam still talk about the pirates. Sarah and Alice loved Advent boxes with special treats every day in the lead-up to Christmas. Time at the beach, summer at the farm, car trips, family feasts, elegant parties, making crafts, collecting shells, the bowling turkey dance, and skipping rocks… these magical traditions are treasured memories.
Fearless and adventurous, Ann never hesitated to jump into new experiences. She traveled to hundreds of places across the United States and dozens of countries, and spent a year living in Venezuela. At 93, she organized a safari through Tanzania with the entire family, bringing along school supplies to share with Maasai children. At 95, she proudly renewed her driver's license and got a new car.
Through it all—raising three children on her own and devoted to others—she was resilient and deeply invested in her church. A long-time member of Epworth United Methodist Church, she served on the Board of Trustees, arranged the flowers each week, was part of the hospitality committee and the United Methodist Women’s group, and led major renovation projects.
Ann was an accomplished woman, an amazing homemaker, and a terrific role model, friend, Mom, and “Ranny,” but those words barely scratch the surface of who she was. Classy, elegant, smart, funny, and always impeccably dressed, Ann lit up the room no matter where she went. Strong, resilient, adventurous, and endlessly curious, she approached life with grace, humor, and an open mind. Exceptionally kind and caring, she never spoke ill of others. Humble by nature, she liked to learn about those around her rather than talking about herself. She would be embarrassed by personal tributes like this and would never have wanted a list of accomplishments included here. Ranny was the heart of our family and we will miss her every day.
Services will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM on Saturday August 8; the family will greet visitors after services at Amy’s house. The family will also be available between 1:00 and 1:30 PM at the church for those unable to visit after services.
In lieu of flowers, please donate blood or contribute to your local blood bank in Ann's memory, or to Epworth United Methodist Church, 501 Morgan Ave., Palmyra, NJ 08065 (https://palmyranjumc.org).
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