Leave a Legacy
This section of the website features the art of three people who left an amazing legacy in our family: Jean W. Wright, Richard E. Osgood, and Jack M. Wright. They are my mother, father, and stepfather. Each person’s art was very different from the other; I share their legacy here to honor their memory.
“The herculean task of a photographer is to capture a momentary frame as beautiful in reality, as it would be in a dream.”
- By Ansel Adams, American Photographer
The Legacy of Jean W. Wright
Mom, Jean W. Whitlatch, was born in southern Washington, in the 1920’s. Jean was the second child of Averill and Cora Metta. Their family home was in Snohomish County in Washington state where they raised their four children. The above quotation is perfect for mom She did many photoshoots that perfectly captured the moment. Jean had such a great eye for design in photography.
There were things that mom particularly loved to shoot. She shot many family photos, flower photos, and covered bridges photos. She did a series of aspen tree photos. She had a particular fondness for photographing Mount St. Helens, before and after it’s eruption, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and Mount Shasta.
But her favorite mountain to shoot was Mount Rainier. In fact, the last 42 years of her life she had a gorgeous view of Mount Rainier from every room in their home.
Jean was an active member of the local photography club serving as the treasurer for several years and entered her photos in the State Fair competition and several local shows.
In addition to photography, Jean adapted the design of 2 family homes, one where she, my father, and our family lived in Snohomish County, and the other where she and Jack lived. She designed that home so that every room in the house would have a view of Mount Rainier.
In the last 20 years of her life mom developed an award-winning type of still-life photography using mylar to catch the light. (Award winning photo – click here) I have included here her instructions on how to set up that type of photo. (in editing process)
Mom was also a cellist. She brought the love of orchestral music to our family. My sister is a cellist as are both of my daughters and one of my granddaughters. My other granddaughter plays the viola. My brother played the violin, and the viola as does one of his daughters. All these string players are truly my mom’s legacy to our family.
Jean/Pam’s cello:
“I think music, in itself, is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture you’re from, everyone loves music.”
- By Billy Joel, pianist, singer/songwriter
The Legacy of Richard E. Osgood
Dad, Richard E. Osgood, was born in Michigan, in the 1920’s. Dick was the first child of John and Gladys. Their family home was in Snohomish County at two different locations. The location I most remember was up the hill on Dayton Street. It had a fabulous view of the town, the waterfront, and the ferry terminal, as well as the mountains. This is where they raised their two children and where we had many family gatherings during my growing up years.
Dick was in the Navy ROTC program at the university in the 1940’s and played intermural college basketball at the same time. After university graduation, he completed his military service in WWII on a ship in the North Atlantic. When he came home, he and mom married and moved to Texas where he completed Seminary training, receiving a Master of Divinity degree. (link to a database dad developed to assist in writing sermons - under construction)
Then, my parents moved back to Washington and began building the family home. They also started a small church in a nearby city. Dad was the founding pastor of the church, as well as being the worship leader, visitation pastor, grounds keeper, preaching pastor, youth pastor, and care pastor. Mom oversaw the educational aspects of the church as well as being the custodian, the childcare coordinator, the accountant, the events coordinator, and anything else that needed doing. The four of us kids were the helpers.
Dad was a gifted pianist as well. He might have been described as a child prodigy on the piano and in piano composition. Here you will find a recording (link to “Rain” and “To A Waterfall” done on a glass record) of two compositions that he wrote and played when he was less than 13 years old.
Dad also invented some airplane parts while working at Boeing. The 17 years of royalties from his invention financially helped us kids pay for our college education and allowed my mom to finish her college degree preparing her to teach high school art, science, and home economics. (Please see the US Patent Office’s Patents attached here.)
Dad’s art legacy to the family, is that we have numbers of composers, pianists, ministry servers, military servers, developers, designers, lovers of sports and the outdoors in our family.
“The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with.”
- By Bruce Springsteen
The Legacy of Jack Montgomery Wright
My stepdad, Jack M. Wright was born in King County in Washington state. Their family home was in Snohomish County, where Jack and his younger sister were raised. Jack had served in the Army Air Corps and had never married until he re-acquainted with my mom after Dad passed away.
The above quotation is perfect for Jack, as he would sit at the piano for hours playing completely by ear.
Jack’s art legacy to the family was his piano playing. Keren Gifford received Grandpa Jack’s baby grand piano from Jean’s estate. Here is an unfinished composition that Keren wrote using Grandpa Jacks piano. Her two boys, are pictured here also making their art.
