Obituary of Anita Richardson

Anita Louise Richardson, 91, passed away on May 31, 2015. Although her last years on this earth were not as family would have wished (she suffered from Alzheimer's Disease), she lived a complete life filled with a loving family and many friends. She is now with her loving husband of 54 years, William J. Richardson, who passed away on December 17, 2003. There is clearly truth in the statement "behind every great man is a great woman." Anita was the driving force behind the special life they led and the family they raised together. Anita was born in San Nicandro (Abruzzo), Italy on February 1, 1924. She came over on "the boat" from Italy with her mother and sister when she was 13 years old and settled in Mount Vernon, NY. You can just imagine the anticipation, bewilderment and confusion immigrants went through back then. Her first meal after arriving was on Thanksgiving Day, and she and her sister Aida were amazed at all of the food the "rich American family" cooked on a Thursday! Anita graduated from Edison High School in Mount Vernon. Anita lived a majority of her life as a Mom and housewife. She was a devoted Roman Catholic, a longtime parishioner, and one of the original members of St. Martin de Porres Church in Poughkeepsie, serving on the Altar Guild for many years. Prior to moving "to the country" and raising a family, Anita worked at Ward Leonard Electric Co., where she met her future husband. When her children were older, she worked at Montgomery Ward, Merit Department Store, and Spackenkill High School. She worked to help out the family, which never went without a fantastic annual vacation. She was a proud Italian-American and an especially amazing cook who often hosted dinner parties for up to 20 people. Anita was also skilled at crafting, knitting, and sewing, often spending hours a day at her machine creating and fixing many garments and making Baptismal blankets. She had many long-time neighborhood friends, and every one would probably say about her "she was a good person, generous, and willing to help out when needed." As her health diminished, she was often heard saying with a big smile to all she came in contact with, "Gitchi gitchi goo, I love you!" She is survived by her three sons, John Richardson and his wife Patricia of Poughkeepsie, Tom Richardson and his wife, Teri Cook of Park City, UT, Jim Richardson and his wife Holly of South Windsor, CT, and a daughter, Terry Temple and her husband Mike of Hyde Park. She also is survived by ten grandchildren: Kristine (and Brian) Hyland, of Poughkeepsie, Eric Richardson of Denver, CO, Scott Richardson of South Windsor, CT, Ken Richardson of Brooklyn, NY, Erin (and Greg) Stickel, of Bellerica, MA, Lindsay (and Michael) Lane, of Sudbury, MA, Kayla Shaffer of Poughkeepsie, Jada Temple of Columbia, MD, Elizabeth Gadosky of Sonoma, CA, and Susan (and Neil) Grencer, of Poughkeepsie. Anita also had ten great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sister Aida Maffeo of Ronkonkoma, NY, sister-in-law Florence Brundage of Tuckahoe, NY, and many special nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Bill and his parents, John and Nellie Richardson, she was pre-deceased by her parents Antonio and Elizabeth DiNardo, two brothers, Louie DiNardo and his wife Fran; Primo DiNardo, and his wife Connie; and six beloved in-laws: Joe Maffeo, Vince and Grace Listwan, Ted Brundage, and Homer (Buzz) and Ethel Waller. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Timothy R. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie. Viewing will be June 10th from 4 to 8 pm, at the funeral home. Anita's nephew, Deacon Joseph Maffeo, will preside over prayers at 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:15 am on June 11th at St. Martin De Porres Church, 122 Cedar Valley Rd., Poughkeepsie. Anita's nephew, Father Michael Maffeo will preside. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lagrange Ave., Poughkeepsie. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donations to the Alzheimer's Association of the Hudson Valley, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-4060 or St. Martine de Porres Roman Catholic Church. The family would like to say "Thank You" to the entire staff at Renaissance Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center in Staatsburg, NY, where Anita made her home the last few years. Their kindness and excellent care is greatly appreciated.