Gillian Richards

Gillian Richards passed away peacefully on September 16, 2018 with her loving husband of 62 years by her side, and her family.

Gillian (Jill) was born in 1927 in London, England.  At 16 she became a Royal Army Nurse, then emigrated to the US after WWII to pursue her career goal as a Nurse Anesthetist.  She practiced at the Mayo Clinic and other hospitals across the United States.

She married Dr. Alfonso Richards in 1956 in New York City. After several stops along the way, they moved to Petaluma in 1961 where Alfonso started a medical practice.  She raised 4 children with a sense of adventure and became a full-time homemaker extraordinaire.  An accomplished cook, she always had a vegetable garden and fruit trees, and for many years she would bike to the grocery store.  Her true passions were horseback riding and rowing. She became an endurance rider and spent many hours trail riding with her favorite horses and friends.  Gillian’s wit, bright smile, love and passion for life will be truly missed by her family and friends.

Gillian is survived by her four children Christopher Richards, Elizabeth Richards (TJ), Katherine Nelson and Robert Richards (Anita) and by her six grandchildren Alexander, Brian, Sarah, Julianne, Kendall, and Danielle.  She is also survived by her brother Raymond Montford of Rugby, England.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 6 at 4pm at St. John’s Anglican Church, 532 S. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma.  Reception following the service.