PoCoartschampiondies

A longtime Port Coquitlam resident best known for her volunteer work in the city’s arts and culture community died last Saturday (Feb 18)

Thelka Wright was 80 With her husband, Michael, and other library friends, she was instrumental in having the city build its own library

A former board member of the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation and the Port Coquitlam Theatre Society, Wright also taught cooking and won accolades for her flower arranging and cake decorating She was also dedicated to the evolution of Leigh Square in PoCo However, it was her devotion to the CDMF Performing Arts Festival Society where she made her mark

“I think that’s her biggest legacy in Port Coquitlam the time that she spent being president and running the music festival all those years,” Michael Wright said In 2002, Thelka Wright was recognized for her efforts with a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal In 2013, the city presented her with the Arts, Heritage and Cultural Awareness award and, two years later, she was named PoCo’s Lifetime Volunteer

“Thelka leaves a wonderful and lasting legacy in Port Coquitlam,” Mayor Brad

West said “In particular, her contribution to the arts and culture of our community continues to have such a positive impact She had a vision and was steadfast in her commitment to see it come to life”

Thelka Wright is survived her husband, two children, Samantha and Ashley, and a granddaughter, Zoe A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 23 in the Mabbett Room at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) from 1 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the Crossroads Hospice Society or Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation.