Mary R Wright

Mary (Sibyl) Ramage Wright, 86, of Omaha, Nebraska, left us peacefully on April 10, 2025, surrounded by family. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Mary will always be remembered for her love of family, friends, and music. 

Born on June 14, 1938, in Central City, Nebraska, Mary grew up the only daughter of Richard and Sibyl Ramage, alongside her brother, Dick Ramage. Her father served in the Navy during WWII, which was deeply imprinted in her memories. Her mother was a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood; which Mary would later join herself. In school, she participated in Pep Club, Student Council, Job's Daughters, and choral and instrumental groups. She fondly remembered working at Jim's Super Market and being a church musician in Central City. Mary graduated from Central City High School in 1956, became a member of Alpha Chi Omega in 1957, and joined P.E.O. in 1960. Over the years, Mary had been a member of 4 chapters given programs, served as an officer, was a state chapter delegate, and an Omaha Reciprocity President for P.E.O. In college, she earned her Bachelor of Music in Education in 1975, and went on to earn her Master of Music from UNL in 1979. In 1970, Mary became a mother to her only child, Victoria Barr. In 1990, she married the love of her life, Bob Wright. Mary's (known by many students as Ms. Barr) professional music education work was with the Omaha Public Schools (she also provided private piano lessons). She taught elementary vocal music for 8 years as a traveling music teacher, was an instructional supervisor for 9 years, was the second person to be elected as the elementary music representative to the NMEA board, and was honored to be the elected into the Nebraska Music Educators Hall of Fame in 1993. She said, "but the biggest honor always comes from the students who still stop me in the mall, grocery store, restaurant, etc., and want to be remembered." Mary also spent some time working with the "Mini Treble Singers" and was a member of the Die Meistersingers. After retiring from the school system in 1993, Mary kept busy doing many things she loved: traveling with Bob, playing bridge with her girls, spending time with her daughter and granddaughter (going to plays, museums, baking cookies, etc.), attending P.E.O. functions, volunteering at the Assistance League of Omaha (since 2003), reading, watching many sports (especially her Huskers, Creighton, and Central City Bison), faithfully listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir every Sunday, among many other activities. Anything she did, she always made sure it was done "the Wright way".

 A quote from Mary: "...each can live life to the fullest each day. May we grow older with grace and dignity". 

Mary is survived by her husband, Robert S. Wright, her daughter, Victoria (Vicci) Barr (Bill Acamo), her granddaughter, Kayla Cheloha (Ed Cheloha), her grandson, Kolton Barr, and her great-grandchildren Dakota Cheloha, Diesel Randall, and Edward (Eddie) Cheloha. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard G. Ramage, her mother Clara (Sibyl) Ramage, and her brother Richard (Dick) B. Ramage. 

A Celebration of Life will be held for Mary at Champion's Run on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 1:00-3:00pm. Please wear your best bright and cheery colors. (13800 Eagle Run Dr, Omaha, NE 68164) 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to P.E.O. Chapter BP; a philanthropic educational organization of which she held close to her heart, whose mission is to help women around the world advance through education (peointernational.org), or to the Assistance League of Omaha; a nonprofit association she volunteered for that helps fund philanthropic programs, such as: Operation School Bell, Operation Teen Parent, Operation Bear Hug, Assault Survivor Kits, Operation Literacy, and Operation Recovery. (8502 W. Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68124)