Frances Ada (Gibble) Wright, 92, Wabash, died at 11:35 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016 at Wellbrooke of Wabash in Wabash.

She was born July 29, 1924 in Astoria, Ill., to Addison and Ada (Bowman) Gibble. After growing up on a farm, Frances graduated from Graham Hospital School of Nursing in 1950, and in 1952 from the University of Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with Distinction. She was the medical clinical instructor of the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing for four years. She married Eldon Wright, and lived in North Manchester about 20 years before moving to Wabash, where she retired after 20 years of staff nursing at Wabash County Hospital.

In her retirement, Frances took pleasure in helping others, especially the neglected and needy. She delivered Meals on Wheels to shut-ins for years, and assisted in Friends In Service Here (F.I.S.H.).

She was a courageous woman, often pushing herself to physical extremes. She did bicycling Century (100-mile) tours, swimming, ice skating at Lukens Lake, and white-water rafting of the Chattooga River. (That’s not to mention ziplining. At least there was no skydiving—that we know of.) She swam and worked out at the Wabash YMCA almost daily, as she believed “Your health is your wealth.” Even as osteoporosis stooped her shoulders, it never took away her great joy in exercise, especially hiking and bike riding outdoors.

She never stopped learning. She took courses in everything from Spanish to digital photography, and delightedly read piles of books from the library, curled up in her favorite sunny room. She traveled to many different Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) programs, sampling everything from marine biology to tai chi and kayaking.

She is survived by two children: Renée Wright. Fort Wayne; and Glen (Lisa) Wright, Sierra Vista, Ariz.; and sister, Grace Hartman, Macomb, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Stauffer Gibble and Russell Gibble; and sister, Beulah Dohner.

A celebration honoring her rich, joy-filled life will be held at the Wabash County Historical Museum, Wabash, from 9-11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, in the Porter Room. Friends are welcome to stop in and share memories. Preferred memorial is Animal Shelter of Wabash County. Other suggested ways to remember her: go on a bike ride, feed backyard birds, or enjoy Moose Tracks ice cream on a summer evening.

Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.