Pearl Case Richards' Obituary
Pearl Case RichardsPearl C. Richards, 91, born in Pittsburg, Kansas, September 9, 1912, passed away February 27, 2004. She resided in Tacoma (and later, Lakewood) after moving from the Midwest as a small child when her father, Edgar R. Case found employment with the Union Pacific Railroad. For the past two years she lived in Las Vegas at the Seville Terrace Assisted Living Home with her many dear friends. Pearl graduated from Lincoln High School in 1930 where she participated in sports, the rifle club, and theater, among other activities. Upon graduation she worked at the Shipyards, the Tacoma Smelter, and as a secretary for an insurance company. In 1935 she met Gilbert Â"GillyÂ" Richards and was married for 57 years until his passing in 1992. Together they owned and operated Richards Jewelers in the Lakewood Center from 1951 until they retired in 1974. Pearl often remarked how blessed they were to have made so many wonderful friends through the 23 years in their business. Pearl was constantly busy and always involved in one activity or another. With her husband she Â"curledÂ" at the Lakewood Ice Arena, and later golfed at the Oakbrook Golf Club where they were in the first 25 members to join. She continued to play golf into her 70Â's. She was active in the Lakewood Players both as an amateur actress and later as a loyal spectator. Pearl was a long time member of the Tacoma Orthopedic Guild, and often commented on the wonderful friendships and memories she had with this organization. Additionally, she was in the Aultrusa Club, Ladies of Rotary, the Epicures, Nyanza Garden Club, and a volunteer at Hospice. She continued playing bridge, a game she loved until the end.Pearl was actively engaged in living life to the fullest. She was reluctant to say Â"noÂ" to anyone or anything. Wherever she went or whatever she did, lives were touched. She was lovely in appearance, even continuing to have her hair Â"doneÂ" weekly and purchasing new outfits from her favorite shopping source, the catalogs, to wear to dinner. She had a heart that overflowed with love and people everywhere were attracted to her kind, thoughtful, and warm presence. One of her dining partners was overheard saying recently: Â"when Pearl came to dine, the room just lit up; she was like an angel, always with a twinkle in her eye.Â" She was a woman with character and class, loved and admired by all that came to know her.Survivors include son, Ross B. Richards, and his wife Jean Albert Richards; son-in-law Phillip DeTurk; sister-in-law Marge Case; four grandsons: Kent Richards, Matthew Richards (Kendra), Mark Rabin, Scott Rabin (Patti); granddaughter-in-law Julie Richards (Colin); and twelve great grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter Nancy DeTurk, and grandson, Colin Richards.Memorials to The Little Church on the Prairie, 6310 Motor Ave SW, Lakewood, 98499. Services at 11:00am, Saturday, March 20, 2004, at The Little Church on the Prairie, with a graveside dedication for family and close friends at 2:30pm at Mountain View Memorial Park.
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