Theiline “Ty” Scheumann, 90, passed away Dec. 30, 2021, at her home in Bellevue, Wash.
Some of her proudest accomplishments were in the complex world of horse breeding and racing. Ty always had a love for horses. She was an accomplished rider and breeder of Thoroughbreds at her Grousemont Farms. She also bred international caliber horses in Kentucky. There were few days when she wasn't on the phone with her beloved pals discussing the business and the health of her mares.
In 2011, she was honored as Washington Racing Hall of Fame breeder. The Wrights had been introduced to racing by their friends, neighbors and fellow Hall of Fame breeders, William and Barbara Nelson.
The first winner, raised but not bred by the Wrights, was 1968 dual stakes winner Fitness. He would be followed by Washington Horse of the Year Rock Bath and additional Washington champions Savanna Blue Jeans, Marching Duke, Ladies Excuse Me and many other local stakes winners.
Ty was a strong supporter of the Washington Thoroughbred industry. Her farm produced many WTBOA Sale toppers. Among the differences she made was helping to secure future eight-time leading Washington sire Son of Briartic for the state.
Grousemont Farm was one of the benefactors that contributed to the building of the WTBOA Sales Pavilion and offices at Emerald Downs in 1996.
On national level, Grousemont bred Thirty Slews (Bob Baffert's first Breeders' Cup winner), two-time Grade 1 winner Noble Nashua, and additional graded stakes winners Nasty Storm, Speed World and Palmerio. Among the top distaffers she raced, many in partnership, but didn't breed, were Joli Vert, Descent, J Z Warrior, Downthedustyroad, and Rossard (Den), the latter who would later produce leading California sire Unusual Heat.
She was born in Seattle on March 28, 1931, one of six children born to Paul and Theiline (McGee) Pigott.
Her grandfather William Pigott Sr. founded the American Fortune 500 company and Washington-based Paccar, one of the largest manufacturers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks in the world. The company's structural steel division fabricated the steel for the construction of the Seattle's landmark Space Needle – built by Howard S. Wright Construction – for the 1962 World's Fair.
Her father passed away in 1961 and her mother later married John McCone, a longtime family friend who at the time of the wedding was director of the Central Intelligence Agency and had been the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.
As a teenager Ty traveled solo to the East by Great Northern Railroad to attend high school at the Madeira School in Mclean, Va. She then returned to Seattle to attend the University of Washington and joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Ty married Howard Wright in 1952, and began a family in the Sand Point neighborhood. In 1963 they moved to Redmond where she founded Grousemont Farm. Life on the farm was full of kids, horses, cats, dogs, station wagons, and even a hippopotamus.
Perhaps born before the era of women's empowerment, Ty was an independent force and an accomplished outdoorswoman. She was a horsewoman, hunter (bird), fisherman, pilot (floatplane), sailor (crossing the North Atlantic in 1999), tennis player, and golfer; and she completed her training as a certified mediator. She loved the outdoors and did not shrink at challenges.
Ty served on many volunteer boards, beginning with Seafair to celebrate Seattle's centennial in 1951-52 (Seattle area was without major league sports teams or the Seattle Center). Ty's legacy is defined by her commitment to the people and the community of the region. She was a wise, discrete and generous philanthropist. Her volunteer work also included the Junior League and the Seattle Art Museum.
Ty was a strong fan of UW football and the Seattle Seahawks, watching games at home until the weekend before her death. We will always remember her great sense of humor, mischievous smile and bright blue eyes.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Douglas Scheumann and Howard S. Wright; and sister, Pat. Ty is survived by her five children, Lee (Stuart) Rolfe, Howard S. (Kate Janeway) Wright III, Jeff (Korynne) Wright, Taylor (Erin) Wright and David (Sally) Wright; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ann Wyckoff and Mary Ellen Hughes; and brothers, Charles and Jim, and their families.
A memorial and celebration of life are planned for the Spring, pending further notice. Remembrances in her honor may be directed to YWCA of Seattle, the Seattle Art Museum or a charity of your choice.
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