Kelly Sue Richardson-Wright

On Monday, December 12, 2022, Kelly Sue Richardson-Wright, despite her amazing strength and determination lost her 17 month long battle with Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Ovaries with Platinum Refractory Resistant Disease wrapped in her wife’s loving arms at home at the young age of 55 years.

Kelly was predeceased by her parents John Earnest Wright and Carolyn Mary Wright (Truehart). Kelly was born here in Athol on July 10th, 1967 at Athol Memorial Hospital.

Kelly was a very talented Artist exploring many mediums at Athol High School prior to receiving her 1985 Diploma. She continuing her education by obtaining an Associates Degree in Fine Arts at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA in 1988 with high honors.

Kelly returned to MWCC for a 2nd Associates Degree in Complementary Health Care with a Massage Therapy concentration achieving Phi Theta Kapa; which is where she met her wife, Kena Richardson-Wright, in 2002 and quickly became study partners and friends. By late 2004 they realized there was more than a friendship blooming, when a massage instructor paired them up in class; they began dating shortly after and married in 2007 at the Leominster Unitarian Church.

Kelly loved to enjoy life with her wife, family and friends traveling, dancing, shopping, spending time at Ogunquit Beach, several annual PRIDE events, celebrating family traditions, playing with her grandchildren, reading to them and doing crafts; taking pride in making the most of every teaching opportunity. Most recently Kelly enjoyed their kittens Ruthie & Piper as well as coloring.

Kelly was frequently taking care of family members. Moreover volunteering and participating through many organizations to assist those in need of all ages whether the local community meal, art groups, peer groups, etc. she was always getting involved. Kelly took strong stances for what she believed in and would be sure her voice was heard; not only for her well-being but for the well-being of all. Kelly & Kena even took on SSA with Glad & Justice in Aging in a class action lawsuit in 2015 and won!

Kelly’s courageous battle with this rare cancer was nothing less than horrific. Kelly never had a remission, the only short breaks from chemotherapy were for her 5 surgeries. She was an amazing advocate for herself and fought like hell. She enjoyed every opportunity possible to have quality time with her wife and her grandchildren. Dispite all her efforts to beat back and retard this awful cancer, in September she quickly began loosing ground and the reality of quantity and quality had quickly begun to be diminished; Kelly was in a steady speedy decline.

Kelly leaves her beloved wife of 15 years Kena Richardson-Wright, 2 stepdaughters Monica Theriault and her husband Philip Theriault, Jr, Alisha Wood and her husband Alex Wood, 4 grandchildren: Natalie Theriault, Aliyah Wood, Jaxon Theriault, and Tahlia Wood all of Gardner, as well as many in-law family members, supportive cousins Kara Young and her husband Fred Young of Wyomissing, PA, Gregory Hume and his wife Nancy Mayo Hume from Rochdale, MA, Bradford Haskins Sr. and wife Susan Haskins of Orange, Jason Gerry of Launiupoko, HI, many friends, as well as, several estranged family members that abandoned her; so heartbreaking.

Kelly’s urn will be kept at home with her wife for an undetermined period of time before being laid to rest with her parents in Silver Lake Cemetery in Athol, MA. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 15th, 2023 at The Boiler Bar & Grill in the Tully Mill Pond Venue located at 245 Tully Road in Orange, MA from 12-3pm for family and friends to celebrate the incredibly smart, funny, generous, compassionate, passionate, candid, loving woman, wife, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, and friend Kelly truely was.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending them to the Celebration of Life to be placed around Kelly’s urn. Cards for Kena and family can be mailed to 350 Riverbend St Unit 8, Athol, MA 01331