Janet (Wertz) Wright

Janet (Wertz) Wright, 90, passed away peacefully with family on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at UPMC Bedford. She was born on January 31, 1934, to Homer Scott Wertz and Helen E. (Diehl) Wertz in Cumberland, Maryland.

She is survived by her three sons and their wives, Jeffrey and Kathy (Karns) Wright, Bedford, Thomas and Tricia (Smith) Wright, Bedford, and Andrew and Carol (Whitfield) Wright, Lancaster; five grandchildren, Anita Wright, Jeffrey (and Julie) Wright, Phillip (and Tara) Wright, Adam Wright, and Sara (and Kyle) Briggs; and six great-grandchildren, Marie-Anneliese Wright, Alexander, Genevive and Kadin Wright, and Erin and Natalie Briggs. Janet was preceded in death by her parents; her long-time companion, Clarence “Sarge” Aucoin; her dear Aunts, Mildred Wertz and Verna (Wertz) Wolfe and former husband, Thomas F. Wright.

A few details of Janet’s long life include graduating from Bedford High School and taking some classes at Penn State University where she met her former husband. After raising three boys, Janet began to work at the American Automobile Association and was the long-time General Manager at the Bedford office where she seemed to meet and know just about everyone in Bedford County. Through her work she traveled throughout the US, Canada and Europe.  She had a special fondness for Nova Scotia and spent summers there with Sarge. Janet was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bedford.

Janet had a great love of gardening and even in her retirement, she worked a few seasons at Countryside Gardens. She continued this hobby even up to recent years and proudly saved a rose bush at Spring House for residents’ continued enjoyment.

Her interests were many. Having learned to play cards as a girl to make a four-some with her mother and aunts, Janet was an exceptional Pinochle and 500 player. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed horseback riding, and golfing with friends in years past. She was a marvel in the kitchen as cook – especially mastering all things seafood - and baker.  Every holiday included a homemade pie.  Janet loved to crochet and made blankets for grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and became part of a prayer shawl making ministry to help others feel the love of God and neighbor in their time of need. She enjoyed watching football and also became a voracious reader in later years.

On her expressed behalf, the family extends a deep appreciation to the staff of Spring House who Janet adopted as her extended family in her decade and a half living there and to the staff of the 3rd floor at UPMC Bedford who provided loving care and kindness.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford, with Rev. David Weinhold officiating. Friends will be received on Tuesday from 5 – 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.   May God grant her forgiveness of sins and eternal rest. In lieu of flowers, and as was Janet's custom, please consider making a donation in her name to the Bedford County Library, 240 S Wood St, Bedford, PA 15522. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.

Bedford County Library
240 S. Wood St, Bedford PA 15522