Edith “Virgie” Wright has spent more than half a century as an active volunteer in Buxton, and last Saturday, the community showed its appreciation: the flower garden at the West Buxton Library was dedicated to her.

“My family and I have loved this town, and we are so pleased we settled in such a lovely neighborhood,” Wright said.

“Virgie is just the type of citizen you wish you had a whole town full of,” said Buxton Selectmen Cliff Emery.

Born June 15, 1918, in Greenville, Wright moved to a home near the library and just across River Road from the Saco River in 1953. She has been an active member of the Buxton community evr since.

She has stayed in her home the 13 years since her husband died so her children could come to visit the house they grew up in and loved so much.

Wright attended Shirley Mills elementary schools just south of Greenville. She went to Kents Hill boarding school for high school, and then on to University of Maine at Farmington to become a teacher. She met her husband, Charles, in college in 1936.

The two married in 1942 and spent 55 years together before he died in 1995.

The couple had five children, the oldest being born five months after Charles went overseas to join the European theater in World War II. He didn’t see his oldest son until he was 22 months old. He was overseas for two years, and stayed in the Army Reserves after his return in 1945.

After moving to Buxton, the two became deeply involved in the West Buxton Library, working to make it part of the community. Both the Wrights served as directors on the library’s Board of Trustees.

Virgie Wright became involved in the Buxton and Hollis communities in a number of ways, bringing the first Girl Scout troop to Buxton in 1955, which she led for 14 years.

Also in 1955, she helped start the Saco Valley Civic Association, and under its auspices began a nursery school for 5-year-olds (there was no kindergarten there at the time) and a youth center where dances were held. She has led numerous sporting activities, winter carnivals and other community activities.

Emery said Wright has been a huge contributor to the town through innumerable programs. “I don’t even know all the things she’s been involved in,” he said, listing off just a few including the recreation department, the garden club, and general work toward keeping the town beautiful and clean.

Wright just wanted to bring to the Buxton area all the things she thought would make the community thrive.

“They weren’t available,” Wright said. “Rather than criticize my town, I wanted to improve it.”

“You never hear a bad word come out of her mouth about anyone,” Emery said. “She’s one of my all-time favorite people… She’s just a sweetheart.”

Emery has known Wright his entire life, and was best friends with her youngest son, Ken. He “basically grew up in her house,” he said, and is amazed by how meticulously she dresses, and how great she looks at 90 years old, still driving around.

Wright said that young parents moving into the community need to become involved in the schools, and to participate in and enjoy what the community offers.

“I had many wonderful neighbors and friends that assisted. I didn’t do it all by myself,” she said.

Buxton honors key volunteer