Rebecca "Becky" Bright

Rebecca “Becky” (Vallette) Bright “Becky”, age 93, formerly of Paola, Kansas, died November 7, 2018 at Aberdeen Village, Olathe, KS. The family would like to thank the wonderful men and women of Aberdeen for their excellent, loving care during the past 5 years. She loved every one of you dearly. The family would also like to thank Crossroads Hospice for their care during the last days of Becky’s life. Mrs. Bright was born in Jewell, Kansas on March 28, 1925, the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. H. B. Vallette, Beloit, Kansas. A lifelong Kansan, she graduated from Beloit High School in 1942. She received her Associate of Arts degree from Monticello College, Alton, IL, in 1944. In 1946, Mrs. Bright was one of seven students in the first graduating class from the newly formed William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. While at the University, she acted as editor of the University Daily Kansan. She also was affiliated with Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and Theta Sigma Phi, honorary journalism sorority. She was a life member of the K.U. Alumni Association. Following her graduation, she worked for a brief time as society editor of the Chanute Tribune, Chanute, KS. On June 14, 1947, she married William D. Bright, who then was a law student at K.U. Following Mr. Bright’s graduation, they moved to Paola, where Mr. Bright practiced law, and both actively participated in community affairs. They were the parents of two children, Catherine Bright Coleman, Olathe, and Ben V. Bright, Kansas City, KS. Devoting energy and enthusiasm to the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Mrs. Bright served as Kansas State P.E.O. president in 1969-1970. She presided at the state convention, held on the campus of Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, in June 1970. A member of the local Chapter DQ, Mrs. Bright served as chapter president, and other local offices. She was a member of the state welfare committee, before being elected to the Executive Board of Kansas State Chapter in 1963. In 1978, Mrs. Bright entered graduate school at the University of Kansas, receiving her Master of Science degree in journalism in 1981. For her master’s thesis, she chose “Carlos P. Romulo, Philippine Journalist, Soldier, and Statesman.” With her husband, she traveled to Manila for a personal interview with Romulo, which she considered “one of the highlights of her life.” Mrs. Bright was chosen for membership in the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi scholastic fraternity, and Kappa Tau Alpha, honorary journalism fraternity. Following her graduation, the second time around, Mrs. Bright worked as a freelance writer. Her travel articles were published in both magazines and newspapers. During the oil boom in Paola in 1980-1981, Mrs. Bright worked for Scimitar and Aegean, Canadian oil companies, writing and editing their annual reports and brochures. With her husband, Mrs. Bright traveled extensively, visiting Europe, South America, Africa, Australia, and the Far East. Their favorite vacations centered around ships and the water, often spending time in the Hawaiian Islands. The Brights cruised to almost every island in the Caribbean, as well as Alaska, Rhine River, Nile River, Norway’s Fjord, and Greek Islands. Following Mr. Bright’s death in 1999, Mrs. Bright continued traveling with family and friends. Mrs. Bright’s love of travel led her to enter the travel business in 1982, as an outside sales agent for Passport Travel, Overland Park, KS. She later joined Passport’s branch office in Osawatomie, later becoming Travel Line Corp. When the agency moved their office to Paola, Mrs. Bright continued in the same capacity, until the agency closed in 2001. Throughout her life, Mrs. Bright’s children and grandchildren were of utmost importance. Family activities centered around the home the Brights built in 1956 at 1008 E. Osage in Paola. Mrs. Bright was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church, USA, serving as a deacon and secretary of the Presbyterian Women’s organization. She was a member of the Paola Country Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Kansas City Chapter of Women in Communications, and Tomahawk Chapter, DAR, Prairie Village, KS. Surviving are her daughter Catherine Bright Coleman, Olathe; son, Ben V. Bright, Kansas City, KS; five grandchildren, R. Chris Ventura, Denver, CO, Shawn P. Coleman, (Melinda), Olathe, Kristie McFadden, Parkville, MO, Ben Daniel Bright, Kansas City, KS, and Ashley Fleming, (Richard), Shawnee Mission; twelve great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Aberdeen Village in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS 66071. To share your memories of Becky or leave a special condolence message for her family, please click on the Share A Memory tab.