Rosina Jane Richards, 90 of Gloucester, MA, formerly of Fleetwood, PA, passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 after a brief illness. “Janie” was born February 25, 1926 in West Pittston, Lucerne County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Norman B. and Lucy A (McCabe) Richards. Janie is survived by her niece, Grete Carder and her husband Tim Carder of Douglasville, GA, her nephews Paul K. Richards, Jr. and his wife, Susan, Thomas J. Richards, John D. Richards and his wife, Mary of Gloucester, Lance J. Richards and his wife Franchette of Avon, CO, grandnieces Dawn M.(Richards) Chappell and her husband Brendon of Pepperell, MA, Julie N.(Richards) and her husband David Sainato of Salem, MA, Hannah Richards of Gloucester, MA, and Brianna Richards of Avon, CO, grandnephews Marc D. Richards and his wife Jennifer of Cambridge, MA, Ian Richards of Gloucester, MA and Cameron Carder of Douglasville, GA, great-grandnephews Conor P. Chappell, Benjamin R. Richards, Kyle J. Chappell, William D. Richards, and Gavin Sainato. Janie was predeceased by her brothers Paul K. “Pete” Richards, Sr. and his wife, Mary Julia “Judy” (Bartlebaugh) Richards and James McCabe "Chick" Richards and his wife Vibeke ”Vicki”(Jensen) Richards.
Jane graduated from Pittston High School and East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania and received a master’s degree from Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
Miss Richards was a retired Professor of Elementary Education at Kutztown University in Kutztown, PA and honored with the title Professor Emeritus.
For many years, she was a devoted member of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Fleetwood, PA where she served on many boards and committees. She was an active member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority and held many offices including president of the Delta Kappa Gamma Beta Chapter. She was proud of her family heritage and a long-time member of the West Pittston Daughters of the American Revolution. After retirement, Janie moved from her farmhouse in Fleetwood and resided at Phoebe Berks Village apartments where she volunteered in many areas.
Janie was a devoted daughter, beloved Aunt, respected teacher and treasured friend. She loved football, enjoyed musical performances, supported the Olympics and had wonderful memories of driving about in her white convertible.
She was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic traveler who took many trips with friends and family. Her adventures included trips with her dear cousin Nancy Zweil of Nutley, NJ. Janie once drove from Pennsylvania to Alaska. Among her vacations were visits to our National Parks, the Greek Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the Cayman Islands.
Jane was a Pennsylvanian at heart. She lived in PA for her first 85 years and lived in Gloucester, Massachusetts in her later years.
An educator throughout her life, Jane gifted her remains for education, research and the advancement of medical science.
A Celebration of the life of Rosina Jane Richards is at First Baptist Church in Gloucester, Massachusetts Saturday February 4, 2017 at 11am. A service and internment will be at a future time next to her parents in the family plot at Wyoming Cemetery, Wyoming, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a Church or Charity of one’s choice.