Phyllis Louise Wright, age 85, of Fairview Heights, Ill., died Thursday, February 16, 2017. She was born on August 23, 1931 to Walter and Adolphine "Dolly," nee Pierson, Rattigan, of Burgettstown, Pa.

At the age of 20, Phyllis married her high school sweetheart, George Ernest Wright. Together, they traveled across the country and abroad as he pursued his Air Force career. They moved to Sumter, S.C. in 1969 and when George retired from Shaw AFB after 23 years of service, they chose to stay and make Sumter their home. Phyllis was caring, compassionate, and generous with her time. She was a foster mom to newborns in Minnesota, a Red Cross volunteer at various base hospitals, a Girl Scout leader in England, a member of St. Anne choir, a volunteer at Alice Dr. Junior High and at "Mother's Pajamas" crisis help line.

Phyllis was foremost a devout Catholic and loving mother to her oldest son Michael and twins Patrick and Susan. She enjoyed having family visit, especially cooking for them during the holidays. Phyllis loved animals and over the years, cared for many stray cats. She enjoyed gardening, searching for bargains at yard sales, and watching animal and garden shows.

In 2010, Phyllis moved to Fairview Heights to be near her daughter. Despite her failing health, Phyllis always maintained a kindly disposition and a pleasant sense of humor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband George Wright; sons Michael and Patrick; and her sister Mary Katherine Bagienski.

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law Susan and Brian Clukey; grandchildren Joshua (Ciara) Wright of Lakeland, Fla., Shannon (Caleb) Tschida of Lake Wales, Fla., Nathan Clukey, Ethan (fiancée, Liz Ebel) Clukey, Adrian (Kyle) Wallace, and Anna Clukey of Fairview Heights, Ill.; great-grandchildren Brystol Wright and Levi Tschida; brother-in-law Wade Wright of Steubenville, Ohio.

Memorial donations are requested to The SPCA of Sumter, S.C. (www.sumterscspca.com).

Visitation: Family and friends will gather from 12:30 – 1:30 pm, Friday, March 3, 2017, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill.

Services: Funeral procession will depart the funeral home promptly at 1:30 pm, Friday, March 3, 2017 for a Graveside Committal Service of both Phyllis and George Wright, to be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis County, Mo.