Foundation Established for Cancer Patients:
Beth Wright’s Gift and Legacy

Beth Wright 1972-2000

In the last months of her life, Beth Charczynski Wright accomplished a goal that will continue to help others in her community. She established the Choose Life Foundation, a charity dedicated to improving and enhancing the lives of cancer patients by providing literature and information that offers inspiration and hope.

Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 while caring for Joseph, she and her husband, Wayne’s, first son, born in 1996. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but the cancer was rediagnosed after the birth of their second son, Joshua, born on Thanksgiving 1998. Beth died August 23, 2000, but her husband honors her memory by continuing to accept donations that are being used to establish and expand a free lending library at the Mary Dow Oncology Unit of Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth, Maine.

The library carries educational and inspirational books, pamphlets, and video- and audiocassettes. Materials like these strengthened Beth’s faith and gave her hope. Therefore, her goal was to make sure such items are available to other cancer patients and their loved ones.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Beth’s favorite scripture, Isaiah 40:31, which also appears on the Choose Life Foundation flyer, was read at her memorial service on August 26 by Pastor Buzz Carver of the Beals Congregation, of which Beth was a lifetime member. Steve Bertrand, pastor of the United Pentecostal congregation that spent time with Beth in her final months, joined elder Dwight Carver in presiding over the gathering and sharing thoughts about Beth’s life. Additional friends and family members also shared memories.

Approximately 400 people filled the Beals Elementary School gymnasium in remembrance of Beth. At the end of the service, Pastor Bertrand asked attendees to remove the chairs from the main floor to make room for people to come down from the bleachers, so everyone could stand together. The crowd sang Big Tent Revival’s song “Choose Life,” the theme song of the Choose Life Foundation.

Beth was born in Bangor, Maine, July 13, 1972, daughter of Joseph and Twyla (Beal) Charczynski. She grew up on Beals Island and she, Wayne, and their sons spent the last ten years in Columbia and Addison, Maine. Inquiries and donations to the Choose Life Foundation can be sent in care of Wayne Wright, RR 1 Box 879, Wescogus Road, Addison, ME 04606.