Agnes Wright

September 1, 1930 - November 6, 2020

We will be live streaming Agnes' Graveside service on Saturday November 21 at 10:30 a.m. on our Facebook page. When you click this link, it will take you to our Facebook page. You might need to scroll down at 10:30 a.m. until you see the title Agnes Wright Graveside Service. KBFFH Facebook Agnes Ann (Montague) Wright, 90, died Friday, November 6, 2020, at her home at McCrite Plaza, Topeka, Kansas, due to complications of heart disease. Agnes was born on September 1, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest of the four children of John Leo and Inez Louise (Donahue) Montague. Agnes attended St. Dominic’s Catholic School in Detroit and continued her Catholic education after moving to Topeka in 1939. Agnes graduated from Capital Catholic High School, now Hayden Catholic High School. She attended Saint Mary College, now University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas, to pursue a career in nursing, finishing as a Registered Nurse. She remained life-long friends with her nursing classmates, who fondly called her ‘Monty’ and was a life member of the St. Francis Nursing Auxiliary alumni group. Early in her nursing career Agnes moved to San Francisco with a classmate to work at a hospital there. She later returned to Topeka, working at Stormont Vail and Santa Fe Memorial Hospitals. After her four daughters were born she worked nights as a private duty nurse. She spent the remainder of her career in gerontology working at several nursing homes including positions as the Director of Nursing. She married Raymond Shy in 1953. They had four daughters together and later divorced. She married Kenneth Wright in 1979; they later divorced. Agnes could recite impressive volumes of poetry by heart, sometimes old Irish poems as a nod to her Irish heritage. Agnes loved to sing and could recall the lyrics to thousands of songs and was known to break out in song at nearly any time. She would always ask with a big smile, “Do you know that one?” She was a member of the New Beginnings Choir. Through this group she volunteered, visiting the elderly to entertain them with song throughout the year. She also enjoyed camping, travels and adventure. She had a passion for collecting recipes, cooking, and many crafts and creative pursuits. Her short story, Peace Did Return at Last, about her memories of WWII was published in the local paper. In this story she shared memories of working in her parents’ grocery store as a young girl. She participated in square dancing, was a good softball player and loved to swim. Agnes was a Girl Scout leader for many years and volunteered at KNI and the Capper Foundation. Agnes never lost her good sense of humor and had a delightful, memorable laugh. Agnes leaves behind daughters, Lou Ann Montague, Columbia, MO; Carolyn Church (Ed), Lawrence, KS; Jeannie Shy, Topeka and Nancy Shy, OK; nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews. Her parents, a grandson, and brothers, Leo Montague, Dr. John Montague and The Rev Vincent Montague M.M., preceded her in death. Graveside service for Agnes is Saturday, November 21, 10:30 a.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 801 SW Westchester Road, Topeka KS 66606. Masks and social distancing are required. This service will be live streamed on the funeral home Facebook page. Agnes’s family asks that you give a nod to your favorite nurse today to celebrate the art of nursing and to honor Agnes’ memory. Thank them for the extraordinary, compassionate care nurses provide in our lives. Memorial contributions are suggested to Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604. These gifts will benefit nursing students. Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.