Barbara Jean Wright (Hansen)

December 28, 1941 – November 29, 2025

Salt Lake City, Utah • Provo, Utah

Age 83

Barbara Jean Wright, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2025, in Provo, Utah, at the age of 83.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 5, 2025, 10am, at Cove Point, 1988 N. Cove Point Lane, Provo, UT 84604.

Barbara is survived by her children: Donald L. Wright, Jr. (Diane), Jean Blackburn, and Krystal Payan (Richard); four granddaughters, two grandsons, and four great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 53 years, Donald L. Wright, Sr., her mother Crystal (Turner) Steinfeldt, and father Owen Hansen.

Barbara and Don were married on February 3, 1961, in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their bond was one of deep love, unwavering faith, and shared adventure. Though Barbara found joy in her years after Don's passing in 2014, she often spoke of longing to be reunited with him—and we imagine their reunion now is filled with happiness.

Born in Salt Lake City, Barbara spent much of her life in Southern California, Alamo, Nevada, and Las Vegas, Nevada. She returned to the Salt Lake City area in November 2023. Her love for the ocean began in her childhood years in the Long Beach and Seal Beach areas, and throughout her life she cherished every opportunity to be near the coast. In their retirement, she and Don traveled extensively along the shores of California, Oregon, and Washington, falling especially in love with the Oregon Coast—a place they wished they could call home again.

Barbara graduated from Mt. San Antonio College with an Associate Degree in Child Development, fulfilling her lifelong dream of teaching preschool. Through the ROP Program, she shared her knowledge and passion with future educators, and she later operated a successful daycare from her home for six years.

Her faith was central to her life. Barbara and Don served a two-year service mission in Warm Springs, Nevada, and together served ten years as ordinance workers in the Las Vegas Nevada Temple. Over the years she fulfilled many callings in the Church, but her favorite was serving in the nursery—she as assistant nursery leader and Don as nursery leader—loving and teaching the youngest members of her ward.

Barbara had a deep love for reading, especially the scriptures, with the Book of Mormon holding a special place in her heart. She was also a proud member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed hobbies such as sewing, crocheting, scrap-booking, and visiting with friends.

Those who knew Barbara will remember her steady kindness, her warm humor, her devotion to family, and her enduring faith. She leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and gentle strength.

She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered.