Elaine J. Richards 1934-2020

Elaine was born July 22, 1934 in Girard, the daughter of Frank and Victoria Fodor Augustine.

Elaine had a beautiful operatic singing voice and was known as a soprano coloratura. Elaine won many state vocal competitions in high school and was even awarded a scholarship to The Juilliard School for voice. Elaine chose the path of family and had worked for Ohio Bell (AT&T) for 45 years, first as a telephone operator and then as a maintenance administrator. She was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers, a benefactor to disadvantaged women and children at the Beatitude House, and was an active election worker in the Ohio polls.

She and her husband, Cecil, enjoyed their retirement years going to the casinos, supper club dates with friends and frequent travels to Florida. Elaine earned her honorary doctorate degree in shopping, courtesy of QVC.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Mark Richards of Hubbard, Chris Richards of Warren and Shayla Ricciardi of Orlando, Fla.; a granddaughter, Jennifer; sisters, Tricia Colclough of Austintown, Lissa Penza of Powell and Janna Elmore of Mentor; and her brothers, Kerry Augustine of Polk and Gregg Augustine of Austintown.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Charles J. Richards, whom she married Nov. 8, 1954 and who died Oct. 3, 2014.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date where Elaine will be laid to rest in Girard City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Beatitude House of Youngstown, in memory of Elaine J. Richards.

Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any expressions of sympathy to the family.

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