Lois Richard

Lois Louise Sandman Richard, born September 9, 1930 in Cincinnati, OH, and passed away peacefully at age 94 on February 23, 2025, in Worthington, OH. A beloved wife, mother, nana, aunt, and friend, she will be dearly missed by many. She is survived by her children, Janette Richard Kelly (Thomas), Karen Richard, and Neil Richard (Valorie Miille), grandchildren Jacob Richard, Emily Kelly, Abigail Richard, and Caroline Kelly, and nieces, nephews and cousins. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Lucille (Donnerberg) Sandman, her brother, Dennis Sandman, her husband, Rodney Bruce Richard, and son, Keith Richard. Lois graduated from the Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati in 1951, and embarked on a 60-year nursing career. While a student at Bethesda, she met Bruce Richard through letter writing—a fellow classmate’s fiancé asked if any of the student nurses would be interested in writing to some of his lonely sailor friends. Lois and Bruce corresponded and eventually met and then married in 1953. They moved to Columbus, OH where Bruce finished college, and started a medical practice in Worthington. Lois was the office nurse and receptionist until the practice grew when she became a stay-at-home mom. She helped with both Boy and Girl Scouts, marching band, was a room mother at Wilson Hill Elementary, and taught kindergarten Sunday School at Worthington United Methodist Church for over 15 years. Widowed at age 46, Lois returned to the work force, mostly to keep active as her children grew. Over the next 30+ years Lois worked as a private duty nurse, a skilled nursing facility nurse, an insurance company nurse, office nurse, and home health care nurse, finally retiring (for the second time) at age 80. She loved her many dogs, The Sound of Music, and enjoyed watching sports, especially the Columbus Blue Jackets, Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Buckeyes. However, if asked, Lois would tell you her most important job was raising her children to become functioning adults. The job she enjoyed most was as Nana to her grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at Worthington Christian Village on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 3-5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Worthington Christian Village, or the Bethesda Foundation.

Lois Richard

September 9, 1930 - February 23, 2025