Shirley Gwendolyn Rickard

Shirley Gwendolyn Rickard, 98, formally of Westerville, Ohio, passed away on September 18, 2025 at Bennington Glen Nursing Home in Marengo, Ohio. She was born on May 5, 1927 in Gary, Indiana to the late Ottie and Mabel (Aucoin) MacLaverty. She married Oran Harold Rickard on March 1, 1947, and he preceded her in death on November 12, 1993. Harold was a retired Lt. Colonel in the US Army and he and Shirley spent time in the Panama Canal Zone where he was assigned during the Korean War.

As a child, and being part Scottish, Shirley loved to dance the Highland Fling with her older sister Nonnie. She also enjoyed singing with her sisters and they performed as quartet called the “Senior Sounds.” They never charged for their performances but would have gigs at senior centers where they were often older than those they were entertaining!

Shirley started her professional career as a typist at U.S. Steel. She then went on to be a manuscript typist for CBS – Chicago. At CBS she had a handsome mail clerk (with bad teeth) who went on to seek his fame and fortune in Hollywood as Rock Hudson! Apparently, he eventually got his teeth fixed. But ultimately her main calling in life was as a mother and wife in the Rickard home.

Those left to cherish the memories of Shirley include sons Lance (Marsha Kleffman) Rickard and Todd Rickard; grandchildren, Justin and Danielle; sisters, Jen and Gerrie; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Along with her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her sisters Norma and Nonnie and her brothers Sheldon and Terry.

Services for Shirley will be held at the convenience of the family. The Newcomer family is honored to serve the Rickard family. To leave a condolence, or to share a memory please visit the tribute section of the obituary page.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to the Alzheimer’s Association.