Dorothy Freda Richards

Dorothy Freda Richards, age 88, passed away on Friday, January 28, 2011. Born in London, England on April 5, 1922 and a Hampton resident the past 58 years, she was the youngest of three daughters of a River Thames policeman. She completed school at age 14 and attended Morley Business College. When World War II broke out she took a job at Lambert and Butlers cigarette factory. When America entered the war she met a young Army air corpsman, George Lee Richards, Jr. from Salem, VA. They were married on September 16, 1944. In 1946, she came to America, as one of the original war brides, and lived in Roanoke County until moving to Newport News (Copeland Park). In 1953, they moved to the Buckroe Beach area of Hampton. The mother of two children, she became active in the Boy Scouts (den mother) and the Girl Scouts (troop leader). After her children were grown she took her one and only American job, Sears & Roebuck, where she retired after 30 years of service. One of her proudest moments in her life was becoming an American citizen in 1980. After retirement she enjoyed knitting afghans for each of the grandchildren as they were born. She was also accomplished in ceramics, specializing in "Santas from Around the World." She was a member and officer in the TBPA (Transatlantic Brides and Parents Asso.) and every other Monday she played rummy cube with her British friends, Bryle, Betty and Joan. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, George and Louisa Gill; and sisters, Georgena Cousins, and Louisa Tappy and her husband George L. Richards, Jr. She is survived by her son, Lee Richards and wife Dolly; daughter, Gillian Green and husband Charles; 4 grandchildren, Michelle Woods, Teresa Moss, Jennifer Sherwood, and Chad Green; 10 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and Odie. The family would like to thank the staff at the Riverside Hospital Oncology Intensive Care Unit and the 5th Floor West for their compassionate and professional care during Dorothy's stay. The family will receive friends on Monday, Jan. 31, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Parklawn–Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 1, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Hampton-Veterans Memorial Gardens. Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family. Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave. in Hampton, 23666.