Jaquelyn Pirri

JAQUELYN PENMAN-WRIGHT PIRRI (JACKI)
(September 23, 1933 - May 21, 2020 )
Pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Vincent Patrick Pirri and her parents, father, George William Penman, mother, Bessie Sue Thompson Penman Wright and her adoptive stepfather, Stuart Gardner Wright, Sr.
Survived by three sons, John Stuart Pirri (Kathy) of Bethesda, MD, Stephen Michael Pirri (Penny) of New Orleans, LA and Vincent Gregory Pirri of Atlanta, GA, her four beloved grandchildren, Kellen Vance Pirri, Jaquelyn Clare Pirri, Stuart Michael Pirri (Madelon), and Amanda Faith Pirri, one great granddaughter, Addison LeClare, her brother, Stuart Gardner Wright, Jr.(Judy) and her nephew, Stuart Gardner Wright, III.
Known to her friends and family as Jacki, she was born in Miami, FL. She lived in Garden City, NY and then attended boarding school at The Town School for Girls in Chicago, Ill. before moving back to Florida to graduate from high school at Ponce de Leon High School in Coral Gables. She went on to attend Florida State University.
Jacki had a life-long passion for both people and writing. During high school and college, she worked as a junior reporter for the Miami Daily News. Her beat was interviewing and writing about some of the many celebrities who visited Miami. Of these, the most memorable was an in-person interview of Margaret Truman, the daughter of the then President. Her career as a "newshound" and writer was suspended when she married and had her children. However, Jacki continued writing throughout her life as a volunteer in several of her numerous organizations and worked professionally for several years doing freelance public relations.
Jacki and Vincent were married September 11, 1954 and lived in Arlington, VA where she worked in the Pentagon while Vincent began his career as a patent attorney. Vincent's career took them to Bartlesville, OK as a patent and trademark attorney for Phillips Petroleum then back to New York where they briefly lived in Bronxville and then settled in White Plains in the house where Jacki has resided since 1959.
While raising her sons, Jacki became very active in the PTA at both Ridgeway School and White Plains High School serving in a number of local, county, state and national positions including President of the White Plains High School PTA, member of the Westchester District PTA, and Editor of the NY State PTA magazine for three years. Jacki was also a member of the New York State PTA Board for many years, retiring as the Board Vice President. Following this, Jacki spent three years as the Representative of the National PTA at the US Mission to the United Nations in New York City.
In addition to her work in the PTA, Jacki was also very committed to other community causes. She was active in the White Plains Hospital Auxiliary as a volunteer, ultimately serving as President and working six years on the Hospital board. Her interest in the health and well-being of the community was also reflected in her efforts to develop Hospice of Westchester where she served as a member of the Board and as Chairman of the Board for many years. She served on the Advisory Council of the Salvation Army of White Plains and as Chair of the YMCA yearly benefit dinner dance. She was also honored for her outstanding community service by the YMCA.
Further community involvement was shown in her active participation in the White Plains Beautification Foundation, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the White Plains Woman's Club and the Scarsdale Woman's Club. Jacki was a long-time member of the Church of St. James the Less in Scarsdale. She also treasured her time with her book club and her "Birthday Group."
Jacki brought cheer and light and love into every life she touched. She will be sorely missed and remembered with great love and affection by her family, her many friends and all the people whose lives she touched and enhanced.
There will be a private burial at White Plains Rural Cemetery with a memorial service to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of Westchester @hospiceofwestchester.org.