Beatrice Marjorie Mebust Wright, 97, of Centralia passed away June 15, 2026, at Providence Centralia Hospital following an extended stay. After COVID-19, Bea's daughter, Lea, stayed with her, ensuring her care and helping her enjoy life.

Bea was born May 5, 1929, in Madison, Minnesota, to Berniece and Ole Mebust. She grew up in eastern South Dakota and Minnesota until the end of her junior year of high school. The family then moved to Pasco, Washington, where she completed her senior year and graduated in 1947.

Following graduation, she began working for the telephone company as a switchboard operator. While working there, she met a young World War II veteran who was also employed by the telephone company. They fell in love and were married Nov. 5, 1948, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Their first child, Leatrice, was born in 1949. They lived in many small towns in Eastern Washington while her husband, Lee, installed telephone equipment. They moved to Richland in 1952, where two more children joined the family: William (Bill), born in 1953, and Lora, born in 1955.

Besides raising a family, Bea was active in her church and in Beta Sigma Phi. In 1957, the family moved to Spokane. Bea was a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout den mother and was active in the Linwood PTA, serving as president.

She and Lee were members of the newly established Northwood Presbyterian Church in Spokane. They were actively involved in building the new sanctuary, led the Mariners married couples group, and Bea served as a deacon. They remained active members until moving to Centralia in 1972.

While in Spokane, Bea worked as a switchboard operator for The Spokesman-Review and Chronicle newspapers until the family relocated. After moving to Centralia, she worked at the headquarters office of the Olympic National Forest in Olympia as head timekeeper, advising five ranger districts and the headquarters office on submitting employee work and pay hours. At a time when all reporting was done manually, before computers, Bea's gift for numbers, accuracy and attention to detail made her the person everyone depended upon. During her career, she was twice sent to New Orleans to assist the U.S. Forest Service on national projects.

Bea and Lee's home was always the site of family gatherings and celebrations; they were the heart of the family. A lifelong Christian, Bea and Lee transferred their membership to First Presbyterian Church of Centralia, which later became Harrison Square Presbyterian Church. There, Bea faithfully served as clerk of session for more than 26 years, as a deacon and as an elder.

Bea was preceded in death by her beloved husband of more than 65 years, Leander Edward "Lee" Wright, and her son, William (Bill) Warren Wright.

She is survived by her daughters, Lea (Dave) Noble of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Lora Collins of Centralia; grandchildren, Matthew Wright of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Zachary Wright of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, David Noble Jr. of Spokane, Alisha (Josh) Maginnis of Tacoma and Joshua Edward Wright of Centralia; five great-grandchildren, Hayden Maginnis, Lilah Maginnis, Leander B. Wright, Theodore Wright and Cy Quinn Wright; her sister, Kathy (Mark) Freese of Spokane; nephews, Erik Freese of Spokane and Ryan (Katie) Freese of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; her sister-in-law, Patricia Mebust of Lincoln, California; niece, Carol (Rick) Voss of Wapaca, Wisconsin; nephews, Tom Mebust of Lincoln, California, Jim (Merrie) Mebust of Coronado, California, David (Bonnie) Mebust of Island Lake, Illinois, Rich (Valerie) Mebust of Rocklin, California, and Don (Patti) Mebust of La Jolla, California; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

A private inurnment will take place Friday, July 31, 2026, at Tahoma National Cemetery. A celebration of Bea's life will be held Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Harrison Square Presbyterian Church in Centralia. The Rev. Mark McHugh will officiate. A reception will follow at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Harrison Square Presbyterian Church, 1227 Harrison Ave., Centralia, WA 98531, or to the Veterans Memorial Museum, 100 SW Veterans Way, Chehalis, WA 98532.

The family would like to thank Pastors Mark and Ralph and the deacons for their kindness and support.