FARMINGTON – Mildred H. Wright, 97, a resident of High Street, Livermore Falls, died unexpectedly, Wednesday, June 9, at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

She was born July 23, 1912, the daughter of Ernest and Mary (Lothrop) Hinkley Sr. of North Livermore. On June 2, 1934 she married Ralph H. Wright, who died Dec. 28, 1983. She was educated in the original Payson Smith one-room school at North Livermore; and graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1930. She apprenticed as a Linotype operator at the Livermore Falls Advertiser under the tutorship of Kenneth Mann, where she worked for many years. She entered into the employment of Berry Hill Orchard Co. in 1947 as a bookkeeper, and worked there until 1991. She was a member of the North Livermore Baptist Church for many years, later transferring to the First Baptist of Livermore Falls, where she was elected a deacon to fill the unexpired term of her late husband in 1984, and was an honorary deacon until the time of her death. She was also a Sunday school teacher for many years, as well as serving as secretary to the board of deacons from 1984 to 2006. She was one of the few persons who still took shorthand notes rather fluently. She was a member of Charity Rebekah Lodge No. 6 of Livermore Falls. She Served as Noble Grand in 1933 to 1934; was District Deputy President of District No. 8 in 1943 to 1944. She was elected warden of the Rebekah Assembly of Maine in 1944, advancing to the presidency in 1946 to 1947. In 1950 she was elected official delegate from the Maine Assembly to the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, and attended the annual session in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1961 she was appointed marshal of the International Association at their annual session in Phoenix, Ariz., serving in that office at the annual session in Montreal, Canada in 1962. She had attended all but a few of the international sessions, throughout the U.S. and Canada, since 1961. Also, she served as treasurer of the Charity Rebekah Lodge and of the American Baptist Women for many years. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Livermore Falls Cemetery Association, serving as secretary for many years; and was a member of the Livermore Falls Women’s Club; Widows Group, and Red Hats. She did voluntary missionary work for ten years during the month of May with the Christian Appalachian Project in Kentucky, with her friend Marge Pristky. Music was her hobby and she played several instruments, including organ, piano, accordion, clavietta, ukulele, piano, harp, electric keyboard and violin; proudly owning one made by her father, Ernest Hinkley Sr.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Jacqueline Curtiss; many nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister, Helen Whynot; brothers, Everett Hinkley and Ernest Hinkley Jr.; a niece, Margaret Whynot; and special friend, Marion Hood. She was able to live in her home until her death with the aide of her niece and husband, Linda and Llewellyn Lyman; and nephew and wife, Lawrence and Evelyn Hinkley; and special caretaker Maria Masse. Also special thanks to Faye Ann Laverdiere and Cinda Foster for their dedication and care.