Edith Richard, 90

Active member of the Lynnfield Historical Society

Published in the January 10, 2018 edition

LYNNFIELD — Edith “Edie” (Pope) Richard, 90, of Lynnfield, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, with her loving family by her side.

Edie was born on the Pope Farm in Lynnfield on August 2, 1927. After graduating from Wakefield High School in 1946, Edie worked as a secretary at Liberty Mutual in Boston. She later worked at the phone company in Lynnfield Center as a telephone operator. On October 8, 1949, she married Earl Richard of Wakefield (Greenwood). They moved to Beaver Avenue, where they raised their four children. After her youngest went off to school, Edie went to Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute, where she earned her LPN degree in 1970. She worked as a nurse at a number of North Shore hospitals including two decades in maternity at New England Memorial Hospital in Stoneham.

Edie loved music, singing, playing the piano and organ, dancing, genealogy, making homemade relishes, pickles and jellies, painting furniture and metal trays, the Lynnfield Historical Society, travel, church and the Women’s Club. In her youth, she was a Girl Scout leader, and member of Grange and the Order of the Eastern Star. Edie was a member of the “Spotlighters” Little Theatre group and “Checkmates” square dancing. Edie also loved spending time with her boys as a Cub Scout Den Mother.

Since 1954, Edie was an active member of the Lynnfield Historical Society, having served as president for a number of years, as well as a frequent hospitality host at monthly meetings, including one where she presented an interesting talk and slide presentation about her life growing up on the Pope Farm, formerly located on the site of the Summer Street School. She was also involved for decades in the LHS Country Store, where she chaired the ham and bean supper table and helped to decorate wreaths. Her homemade baked beans, lovingly baked in small batches in antique crocks were a Country Store favorite. Edie was an enthusiastic member of the Centre Club of General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Massachusetts, where she served as president from 1992-1994 as well as the G.F.W.C. Memorial Forest Committee. For 75 years, Edie was an active member of the Centre Congregational Church, where she joyously sang in the choir for over 50 years. At church, she also served as a Sunday school teacher, president of the Ladies Circle, Hub of Two Wheels, Memorial Committee and as vice president of the Tandem Club. In 2006, Edie and Earl downsized from their Beaver Avenue home and moved to Essex Village.

Throughout her life, Edie was known as a loving, kind, giving person who was always checking in to see who needed food, flowers, or some other comfort delivered. She cherished the years she and her family spent at their cottage in Rye, New Hampshire, with frequent lobster boat outings to the Isles of Shoals. After they sold their cottage, Edie spent many years camping with her family and dear friends and neighbors, the Lacoste family. She and her husband, “Skipper,” loved gardening and especially loved growing their spectacular collection of dahlias. Above all, Edie adored spending time gathering with her family and friends.

Edie was the beloved wife of Earl L. Richard, whom she shared 68 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Glenn E. Richard of Merrimack, New Hampshire; Doreen G. DiFillippo and her husband David of Lynnfield; Steven T. Richard and his wife Karen Nascembeni of Lynnfield; and the late Craig S. Richard. She was the adored daughter of the late Raymond and Elizabeth “Betty” (Ellis) Pope. She was the dear sister of Esther Paquette of Las Vegas, Nevada; Margaret “Peggy” Fahey of Hanover and Naples, Florida; Barbara Martin of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania; and the late Richard D. Pope. She was the cherished grandmother of Derek Richard and his wife Carolina; Benjamin Richard and his partner Samantha Rayball of San Diego, California; Shannon Fontaine and her husband Mike of North Andover; Danielle LaRoussi and her husband Rashid of Bedford, New Hampshire; Jason Richard of Merrimack, New Hampshire; Jared Richard of Plymouth, New Hampshire; Brian DiFillippo and his wife Michelle of East Greenwich, Rhode Island; Jessica DiFillippo of Andover; and Kristen DiFillippo of Andover. She was the loving great-grandmother of Bailey, Melania, and Alexander Richard of San Diego; and Grace and Andrew Fontaine of North Andover. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Relatives and friends will gather in honor and remembrance of Edie’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, Jan. 11, from 3-7 p.m., and for her Funeral service at the Centre Congregational Church, 5 Summer St., Lynnfield on Friday, Jan. 12, at 11 a.m. A private interment will be held at the convenience of the family. Gifts in memory of Edie may be made to the Centre Congregational Church Memorial Fund, 5 Summer Street, Lynnfield, MA 01940. For online tribute or directions, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.