Wilma W. Righter

To those who cared for or whose lives have been touched by Wilma Righter,

With thanksgiving to Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior, her strength and the witness to her of God's love and justice, we share with you that Wilma Wuthrich Righter, 82, died at home on the evening of January 24th, 2018. She spent a year coping with serious illness, supported by a loving husband and the care of family and friends. She kept a good Christmas and Epiphany this church year. In the two days before her death, she experienced a physical decline. She died with a Hospice of Dayton admissions nurse present and in the company of her immediate family.

Willie's mother was born in Barcelona, Spain and was an immigrant to the United States via Mexico. Willie was proud of her Catalan heritage. Willie grew up in Morgan Hill, CA. As a child in 1942, she witnessed the beginnings of the Internment of Japanese Americans, and her conscience for justice formed. She earned her BA from the University of California in Berkeley where she met her husband, Dick Righter. They went to Philadelphia where Dick pastored Richardson Memorial Presbyterian Church. They were highly involved in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1968, they came to Dayton with their two daughters. They organized the Congregation for Reconciliation, a new church with members of faith and conscience, whose mission was to do social action. Her activities included liturgy creation along with children's and youth education. She earned her MA from Wright State University. Willie worked as a licensed clinical counselor. In the community, she was integral to establishing a local chapter of the Pledge of Resistance, a national movement that opposed US military intervention in Central America. She taught non-violence training and was arrested committing civil disobedience. She helped found the Good Friday Walk for Justice and Peace, serving as a key leader for more than 25 years. For many years, she served on the Board of Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton (LEAD). LEAD is Dayton's grassroots, faith-based community organizing initiative for justice. Willie served on LEAD's action committee whose work resulted in a precedent setting ruling that gained access to Beavercreek for RTA bus riders.

She is preceded in death by father, William Wuthrich and mother, Marie (Sagues) Wuthrich; uncle, Jacinto Sagues and aunt Marie Sagues, uncle, Victor Sagues and aunt Janice Sagues; cousin Susan Sagues.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 57 years, Rev. Richard L. Righter (Dick) of Dayton, Ohio. Also of Dayton, daughter, Elisabeth L. Righter (Lisa), son-in-law, Stephen Kramer and grandson, Benjamin Kramer; daughter, Karen Righter Malesko. Surviving family in California, Wyoming and Michigan, aunt, Georgia Sagues wife of uncle, Victor Sagues (deceased), cousin, Sister Marie, OP (Dolores Sagues); cousin, Peter Sagues and his wife Alexsandra, great nephew, Michael Sagues and his wife Cyndie Sagues, great, great nephew Thomas Sagues and great, great niece, Sara Sagues; great nephew, Matthew Sagues and his wife Amy Sagues, great, great nieces Carmen Sagues and Lucy Sagues, cousin, Paul Sagues and wife Deborah Sagues, great niece, Laura (Sagues) Barr and her husband Noah Barr, great nephew, Alexander Sagues; brother-in-law, Robert W. Righter and his wife Sherry Smith; niece, Trisha (Righter) Lack and husband Rev. Loy Lack, great nephews, Benjamin Lack and Dylan Lack; niece, Bonnie (Righter) Sanders and husband Rev. Ron Sanders, great nephew, Zachary Sanders, great niece, Sarah Sanders.

Around Christmas time, Willie wished to send thank you notes to all of you. Know that she was thankful for you. In her last evening, she felt called to say, "We have to keep the people in line." As a woman who devoted her life to a just, fair and loving world, Willie has probably inspired each of us to do just that. Peace to you from her family.

Willie chose to be cremated.
In celebration of her life
A memorial service for Wilma Righter
Date: Saturday, June 30, 2018
Time: 2:00pm memorial service followed by refreshments and fellowship
Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church
125 N. Wilkinson St., Downtown Dayton, OH 45402
Parking Lot across from the church
Handicap accessible entrance on Perry St.

Good and faithful servant:
Wilma Wuthrich Righter
Born 4-1-35, San Francisco, California
Died 1-24-18, Dayton, Ohio
Wife, Mother, Christian, Feminist, Activist and Friend

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers a donation to Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton (LEAD), Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Planned Parenthood, Bread for the World or a cause of your choice.

We are comforted and thankful for your many warm thoughts and prayers.

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