Obituary of Elizabeth Gilardi Richards

Elizabeth (Betsy) Gilardi Richards, 61, of Roanoke went to be with her Lord on June 7, 2020 after a full life and a yearlong battle with cancer. She is predeceased by her parents, Joseph Gilardi, Sr. and Sarah Williams Gilardi and her maternal grandmother Ludie Smith Williams. Left to cherish her memory are her three sons, Douglas Coulter, William Braxton, and Stephen Andrew Richards; her brother, Joseph Gilardi Jr, (Lisa) of Covington, Louisiana; sisters, Kathleen Gilardi Guidry (Gary) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Victoria Gilardi Plymale (Dean) of Covington, Louisiana; numerous nieces and nephews and friends the world over. Betsy never new a stranger. No matter where she went she shared her humor, warmth, wonderful laugh and persuasive ways. Her love for life and people was manifested in her ability to take a difficult task and bring it to completion with a joyful & grateful attitude. She was a former member of Grace Church, Calvary Memorial Church and Church of the Holy Spirit where she leaves many friends who share her love and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Growing up in New Orleans, Betsy trained as an RN at Charity Hospital School of Nursing and worked in nursing her whole life. Taking time off to raise her three sons, she returned to nursing in the home healthcare field, working for Amedisys Home Health, Home Instead and most recently, Generation Solutions. Betsy loved her God, family and country, in that order. Her love of country was expressed through her many years of involvement with the Republican Party. She worked as both a volunteer and as paid staff for Republican candidates that shared her beliefs. Of special note was her devotion and hard work to help elect Ralph Smith mayor of Roanoke City, Mark Earley in his campaign for Governor and more recently, Ben Cline in his campaign for Congress. But there was no candidate that compared to her beloved President, Donald Trump. Her passion and enthusiasm for President Trump could not be matched. If she had one regret, it would be that she could not vote in the election this November. Betsy was the driving force in establishing a rare French herding breed, the Berger Picard, in America. As founding president, she developed friendships all over the world, learning and educating others about the breed. Through her efforts the Berger Picard gained AKC recognition and she earned the AKC honor, “Breeder of Merit”. Her own dogs are part of the foundation of the breed in the United States. Her enthusiasm and love of the breed is irreplaceable in the dog world, and she will be sorely missed by so many. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda MD, especially Dr. Strauss and Dr. Redmond; Drs. Andrew Fintel and Paul Richards of Blue Ridge Cancer Center; and Dr. John Powderly and the staff at the North Carolina Bio-Oncology Institute of Huntersville, NC, as well as Lori with Good Samaritan Hospice for their care, love and support through Betsy’s illness. A private burial will be held for family and a celebration of her life is being planned tentatively for Saturday, October 31, 2020. Memorial contributions in Betsy’s name are welcome to the Health Research Fund of the Berger Picard Club of America: Picards.US Press the health tab to donate. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home.