Dale Eloise Bartholomew (Debbie) Richards, 88, of Beaver, PA passed away on January 28, 2018 following a decline in health caused by age related concerns. She has most recently been residing in Virginia Beach, VA near her daughter Cathleen Coward and was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Chesapeake. Family and friends will be notified of memorial services to be held in the Beaver, PA area on a future date.
Debbie was born in Meadville, PA on December 5, 1929. She graduated from Meadville High School and attended Allegheny College for one year before transferring to West Penn Hospital School of Nursing where she obtained her nursing degree. Debbie married Earl Leslie Richards on January 10, 1953 with whom she recently celebrated 65 years of marriage. In the early years of their marriage, they lived in Bethel Park, PA, Cortland and Canfield, OH. While Debbie enjoyed a variety of nursing positions, her primary concern was to care for her children. She enjoyed being active in church and was one of the founding members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Canfield, OH. Debbie and family moved to Reno, NV in 1968 and returned to PA in 1975 where they settled in Brighton Township for 38 years and were active members of Hope Lutheran Church. Debbie taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir, hosted Bible studies and was a member of Welcome Wagon, the 5th Wheel and a lively bridge group. She also enjoyed volunteering for the Red Cross in Brighton Twp. Debbie was a talented artist and was rarely seen without some sort of a craft project in the works to give as gifts and to keep her busy. (Philippians 4:8)
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents Jay and Alma Bartholomew and her Brother Cloyd. She is survived by her sister Jean Hodge of Greenville, PA, her loving husband Earl Leslie Richards and their four children John, David, Cathleen M. Coward (Kevin ) and Carolyn Geyer (Robert). She is the loving grandmother of five grandchildren: Steven Coward (Nicole), Matthew Geyer (Riki), Philip Bunker- Geyer (Sarah), Jessica Geyer and Scott Geyer. Great- grandchildren are Radley, Beatrix, Silas, Penelope, and Finn. Debbie was also blessed with a number of nieces, nephews their wives and children.
In Lieu of flowers the family asks that you please consider a contribution to the American Red Cross in Debbie’s memory.