Delphine Richards

Delphine Richards, 89, passed away on July 13, 2017. A lifelong Toledoan, Delphine was born on May 29, 1928 to John and Bertha Kalisz, and grew up in the Lagrange neighborhood, graduating from Woodward High School in 1946. She became an Executive Secretary at Kaiser Jeep, and was active in the Toledo Ski Club, where she began dating the man who would become her husband of 51 years, Jack Richards.

A talented cook and baker, her amazing cookie assortments for Christmas were looked forward to by their extended family of dear friends. She spent many hours as carpool mom and field trip chaperone; and in particular as a backstage assistant with wardrobe, makeup and other duties for Toledo Ballet's production of the Nutcracker for 10+ years. In addition, she was the Secretary of the Toledo Ballet association Board for 2 years. When her daughter went away to college, she started a second career as a Paraprofessional with Toledo Public Schools helping kids at Reynolds and Newbury Elementary Schools learn to read as she'd taught her own daughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings John and Dorothy Kalisz and Virginia Kasperek. She is survived by her husband Jack Richards of Toledo; daughter Melissa Richards-Person (Tom) of Louisville, Kentucky; and nieces Colette Egner, Connie (Paul) Harmon and Cindy Kasperek.

The family will receive guests on Monday, July 17th from 5-7pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo; with a memorial celebration to follow at 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that friends consider donations to Toledo Ballet to establish the Delphine Richards Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made online at http://www.toledoballet.net/giving/donate or mailed to Toledo Ballet, 5327 Monroe St; Toledo, Ohio, 43623.

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