Gayle Irene Richter

Gayle Irene Richter

Beautiful, beloved Gayle Irene Richter (Swick) of Arlington Heights, IL, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025.

Gayle was deeply grateful for her long, full life, and took great pride and tremendous joy in being Pooh to her devoted husband George, Mom to her children, Jennifer and Brad, and Nana to her four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was guided and comforted by her Christian faith.

Gayle was born in Indianapolis in 1936, and raised in Richmond. She graduated from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. Her work career included the corporate offices of Eli Lilly, the Accent division of International Minerals and Chemicals, and The Research Guild.

Gayle and George were married in 1966, and traveled widely throughout the U.S., and internationally, with many visits to their growing families in Oregon and Texas. Gayle had a wonderfully adventurous spirit, but also treasured her time at home in Park Ridge.

She and George served as co-presidents of the Washington School PTO, and with the Washington School playmakers. As president of the School District Open Gate program, Gayle was an enthusiastic proponent of promoting the needs of gifted and talented students. Gayle and George created the STARS program- Seniors Talking and Reading to Students- at Washington School. Gayle was also a dedicated member of the Park Ridge Presbyterian Church and served on many committees, the Board of Elders, one of the women's circles and the annual rummage sales. She cherished those relationships and the many friendships with her Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority sisters, the Park Ridge Panhellenic members, her Park Ridge lunch group, her social circle at The Moorings, and her many coworkers and neighbors.

Gayle is survived by her husband, George; her children, Jennifer Richter (Keith Scribner) and Brad (Gretchen) Richter; her grandchildren, Brody (Nina) Richter, Maggie (Corbin) Mc Bride, Luke Scribner, and Chloe Scribner; and her great-grandchildren, Baker, Teddy, Norah, Charlie, Lucas, and Daisy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Kenneth Swick.

A celebration of Gayle's life will be held on Saturday, October 25, at 2pm in the Odean Johnson Chapel at The Moorings in Arlington Heights.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Moorings of Arlington Heights Memorial Fund and the Park Ridge Presbyterian Church Capital Building Program.