Ms Barbara Richter

Beloved and devoted wife of the late Donald Richter; loving daughter of the late Helen and Loretto Ratini. Fun-loving and faithful mother of Danny, Laurie (the late John) Zinkel, Lynette (Jeff) Flight, Christine, David (Julie), Donald (Pam), Barbara (Joe) Ciconte, Julie (Todd) Mack, and Dwayne. Known affectionately as Gram, Grandma, Granny, Grandma Firetruck, Grandma Doh, Grandma Tiny, and Bub to Jonathon (Jessica), Daniel, Gabrielle, Christopher (Lauren), Brian, Andrew, Edward (Beth), Cortney (Brian), Jessica, Sarah (Jon), Rachel, Emma, Jeremy (Anna), Erin, Guiliana, Olivia, Gavin, and Maddie. She also “adopted” as her own, Elizabeth, Lucas, Rylee, Jasper, Jack, Regina and Renee. Great-Grandma to Sophia, Eliza, Fox, Max, Felix, and Silas. Loving sister to Kenny (Sharon). She was a loving aunt, cousin, friend, and neighbor to many. She was a dedicated parishioner at Sacred Heart Church. So much joy came from holding the office of President for the Sacred Heart Women’s Club for over 20 years, because it brought so many friends and joy into her life. She also served as a Eucharistic Minister and Minister of Care. She was the “queen” of baking, not only for her family but for so many friends, neighbors, and anyone she could bring a smile to, especially with her bacon buns. In her lifetime, she had been a friendly bank teller at Melrose Park bank, salad chopper at Teodori’s, supreme babysitter, lunchroom worker at Sacred Heart School, and the neighborhood Avon lady. Barb loved celebrating all the holidays, especially Christmas and Halloween, enjoying the food, camaraderie and costumes that went along with them. Barbara liked to play bunco, Crazy 8’s, bags, Play-Doh, taking walks looking for “stink fish” markers, and baking favorite sweet treats for birthdays and parties. Listening and dancing to music brought joy to her. Barbara spent her entire 89 years in Melrose Park and loved it! Her loving and caring personality touched countless lives. Barbara’s faith and family was always the cornerstone of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you pray the rosary to deepen your faith and spread acts of kindness in memory of Barbara. A phrase she always said to her loved ones, “LOVE YOU MORE!” will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, located at 819 N 16th Ave, Melrose Park, IL. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

Ms Barbara Richter

July 18, 1935 - February 25, 2025