Edythe C. Richardson

Edythe Frances Chesterfield Richardson 98, July 19, 1914-May 18, 2013Edythe was the eldest daughter of a family of nine children and the second child of Arthur L. and Ruth B. (Nash) Chesterfield. She was born in Brazil, Indiana two weeks before the beginning of World War I. She graduated from Brazil High School at the age of 15. She was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority at Butler University but left Butler before graduating. She married George Covey Richardson December 11, 1938. She resumed her studies in the early 1960s, graduating with a BA from Butler and going on to earn her Masters of Social Work from Indiana University. She was an ACSW and LCSW. Edythe was a member of Irvington United Methodist Church for over 70 years and was a founding member of the Challengers Sunday School class. A life member of the International Order of Kings Daughters and Sons, Edythe attended the Chautauqua Institution in NY, was an international and state officer and began a camp in 1943 for girls in Indiana that still exists today. Edythe had a distinguished career in Social Work and pioneered social work in Public Health. In 1972, she became the first social worker in Public Health in the state of Indiana. She was an instructor and adjunct professor at Indiana University for several years teaching Medical Social Work. She received the Social Worker of the Year Award in 1979. Edythe retired in 1982 but retained a private counseling practice until the age of 93. In her spare time, she was active in a variety of clubs including the Irvington Historical Society and Irvington Garden Club. Edythe, along with George, was a founder of the Irvington Halloween Festival. After retirement she and George became �snow birds� and spent winters in Anna Maria, Florida where she was active in Roser Church including becoming a Stephen Minister and Leader in 1988 and training 14 classes of Stephen Ministers. Edythe was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, George C. Richardson, and two daughters, Penny F. Richardson and Virginia L. Jewell. She is survived by sister, Marilyn (Chesterfield) Enberg and a brother, Edward Chesterfield along with one son and two daughters and their spouses: Donn C. and Carolyn Richardson, Elizabeth L. (Richardson) and Bill Johnston, and Sally G. (Richardson) and Jerry Anderson: 10 grandchildren: Robert Johnston, Mark Johnston, Mary (Johnston) Rudicel, Jennifer (Johnston) Lepsky, Melinda (Anderson) Peairs, Amy (Anderson) Gross, Rebecca Anderson, Bradley Richardson, Jason Richardson and Christopher Richardson; and 14 great-grandchildren: Christopher Rudicel, Samuel Rudicel, Daniel Rudicel, Alexander Lepsky, Emalee Gross, Zebedee Gross, Marlee Gross, Grace Johnston, Isaac Johnston, Aletheia Johnston, Garrett Peairs, Gavin Peairs, Fionna Richardson, and Sterling Richardson. Visitation will be Monday, May 20th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Irving Hill Chapel, 5377 E. Washington St. with funeral services 1:00 p.m. Tuesday.www.shirleybrothers.com

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Edythe C. Richardson

July 19, 1914 - May 18, 2013