Holly H. Wright
May 29, 1957 - June 4, 2023
Holly H Wright, age 66, passed away June 4, 2023, in Salt Lake City, UT of cancer. She was born May 29, 1957, in Dragerton, UT, to Lynn Pettit and Valynn Christiansen Huntsman. As a child she moved from Sunnyside, UT, to Eagle Mountain, CA, to Green River, WY, to Price, UT, with her family.
Holly was a proud graduate of Carbon High School's Class of 1975, in Price, UT (Go, Dinos!). She attended the College of Eastern Utah (CEU). She was one of the first female police officers with the West Valley Police Department, joining April 11, 1983 and retiring May 12, 2006. She mentored many women and men in law enforcement and considered that her greatest privilege. She enjoyed being a detective. Holly proudly served the citizens of West Valley City with distinction and honor in many roles.
On July 16, 1983, she married Jeffrey Crawford Wright in South Salt Lake City UT; he died March 23, 2014. They met on a blind date (just like Holly's parents) and that was IT. Holly loved and missed her beloved husband and when it was time, she was ready to reunite with him. They were longtime residents of South Salt Lake, where her husband served as a police officer. She was an RV enthusiast and she golfed because it gave her an excuse to be outside with friends. She loved visiting oceans, rivers, beaches and national parks. She adored dogs, cats, horses, wolves, grizzly bears and really, all animals, providing support when she couldn't adopt them herself.
Survived by her sister, Nori Huntsman (William Hunter Finch), West Valley City, UT; Robert (Jacqueline) Wright, brother-in-law, La Quinta, CA; Meliss Holloway, Scofield, UT, and Michael Ann Wright, Fort Worth, TX, sisters'-in-law; and nieces, Andrea Mae (Paul) Matlin (their children, Will, Henry and Max), Hanna Rose and Natalie Elizabeth Wright; nephew, Joseph Robert (Michelle) Wright (their son, Joseph Orion Bugg); and honorary children. Aleesha Stauffer was the daughter of her heart from the time she was a teen Explorer with WVCPD. She gave Holly two honorary grandsons, Shelton Coray and Trevor Joseph Stauffer. WVCPD Chief Colleen Jacobs was loved by Holly and Jeff, and she always watched over Holly for him. Many of you worried about Kaya, Holly's sweet dog who also survives her. Kaya will stay in their neighborhood with a family who loves her very much. Her neighbors watched out for Holly and did a lot for her through the years. They are very much appreciated.
Preceded in death by her husband; parents; and brother, Dale Keith Huntsman.
Holly preferred casual and intimate over formal and stuffy. This is how she wanted to be remembered.
A “Celebration of Life” will be on Thursday, June 29th, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building.
Wear bright colors, enjoy food and drink, and rest assured she made her sister promise there would be NO speeches, just quiet conversations. Holly chose cremation and to be scattered in the places she found joy, traveling with Jeff.
Remembrances in Holly's name can be made to the charity of your choice or you can go out to dinner and offer her a toast.
In Loving Memory
My deepest condolences for your loss. Holly was a wonderful person and a dear friend. It was my pleasure to have been fortunate to know Holly and Jeff. She will be missed. Thank you for letting me know.
Holly was my Phase 4 Field Training Officer with the West Valley City Police Department. She taught me many invaluable lessons that helped me throughout my career in law enforcement. The most valuable was to treat people with respect and dignity. That was how Holly treated everyone and why she is so loved. Miss you Holly!
In Loving Memory
