The National Society mourns the loss of Honorary President General Merry Ann Thompson Wright, who passed away on December 18, 2022.
“Merry Ann was an amazing woman and a remarkable President General who left a legacy of stewardship and service. She made a difference in the lives of so many Daughters through her dignity, humor, common sense and strong faith. She was greatly admired, loved and respected. She was my dear friend and she will be fiercely missed."
- President General Pamela Wright
Merry Ann Wright served as President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution from 2010 to 2013. She joined the National Society in 1967 as a Junior member through the Colonel Marinus Willet Chapter in New York. She was twice New York State Outstanding Junior, in 1974 and 1979, and Northeastern Division Outstanding Junior in 1979, as well as served as Chief Personal Page to President General Jeanette Baylies. Her extensive national leadership experience included being State Regent of New York, Vice President General, Recording Secretary General, and First Vice President General. She also served as the NSDAR Director of Development from 1998 to 2007.
As President General, Mrs. Wright sought to improve the financial stability of the National Society, increase awareness of the DAR mission and programs to strengthen membership. Her symbol of three intertwined circles represented a number of triads: the virtues of friendship, service and commitment; DAR’s motto of God, Home and Country; the past, present and future; and the chapter, state and national structure of DAR.
Her President General’s Project, “Preserve the Past, Enhance the Present, Invest in the Future,” continued the restoration and renovation of DAR’s historic buildings, supported special project grants across the country, and established interactive webinars to train members on leadership and the Genealogy Education Program. Her Project had to spring into emergency action after the 2011 Virginia earthquake caused damage to the National Headquarters and revealed the severe and dangerous deterioration in the 110-year old lay light glass ceiling 70 feet above the DAR Library, which was original to the National Historical Landmark Memorial Continental Hall building. More than $10 million was raised during Mrs. Wright’s administration, which included many needed National Headquarters building improvements as well as the incredible completion of the historic restoration of the lay light, allowing the sun to shine brightly through the beautiful lay lights onto DAR Library researchers for many decades to come.
Mrs. Wright was a strong leader, a mentor for many generations of Daughters, and dedicated her life to advancing the National Society. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. May we be forever blessed to have had Merry Ann Wright as a beloved member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 1pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Wilmington, NC. Memorial contributions can be made in Merry Ann Wright’s name to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 16 North 16th St, Wilmington, NC 28401; and the NSDAR President General’s Project online here.
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