Marguerite Joyce Richardt

Marguerite Joyce (Weedman) Richardt, 95, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at River Bend Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Marguerite was born on January 13, 1929 to Nancy L. Frost and Jantus Weedman in Evansville, Indiana. She grew up on Columbia Street, where, in her heart, was and always will be, home. She attended Fulton Avenue Elementary School and was a 1946 graduate and dedicated Bear of Central High School. She often sang the anthem up until her passing.
Marguerite was never idle. She was employed at the early age of seven, babysitting at a neighborhood restaurant for the owners' children. Her responsibilities grew to prep work in the kitchen and taking lunch orders from local businesses. In her teens, she worked for Atlas Department Store and on an as-needed basis in other smaller shops. After graduation, Marguerite was employed by Mead Johnson, where she worked in the Mail Room. In 1947, Mead Johnson entered her into the Miss Evansville-Centennial Pageant. She was chosen as one of the seven finalists.
In 1948, Marguerite married Louis Richardt. Ten months later, she gave birth to her first child and for the next 30 years raised her eight children. When her youngest started school, Marguerite started her second career in childhood education. She furthered her education by attending Vincennes University and later graduating from the University of Evansville. She designed, and ran the Sunday School Program at Saint James Parish in Haubstadt, IN, substitute taught in the Evansville School Corporation's kindergarten programs at Scott and Lincoln schools, and opened and operated Evansville's first Montessori schools, the Montessori Children's Center on Pollack Avenue and a satellite school in McCutchanville, IN.
In the early 1980's, Marguerite had an opportunity to travel to Egypt and was introduced to the Amal Language School where she was invited to set up a Montessori kindergarten program. What started as a six-month commitment ended in a 37 year work of passion. Marguerite recognized that for Montessori to continue in Egypt a pipeline of teachers would be needed. After a few years with the Amal Language School, she opened her own Montessori school in an area outside of Cairo known as Maadi and, working with Montessori Educational Programs International, started a Montessori teacher training diploma program, using the classroom at the school as a "lab" for her trainees. Needing to expand, Marguerite along with Olfat Kalifa moved the school to a larger villa, naming it, the Internationale Montessori Preschool. Marguerite continued to work in the classroom and run the Teacher Training Program for another 35 years. Her school and the Montessori teacher training program remain in operation to this day, benefiting thousands of children and families in Egypt.
Marguerite returned to Evansville at the age of 88 and settled into senior living at Solarbron Pointe, located on the west side of the city. Marguerite will forever be remembered as a "mother, daughter, sister, and friend to the world."
Marguerite is survived by her eight children, Michael Louis Richardt (Janie) of Indianapolis, IN, Mark Douglas Richardt (Pamela) of Danville, IN, Jill Ann Oneglia (Francis) of Hawthorne, FL, Jeffrey Allen Richardt (Alanah) of Evansville, IN, Christopher Noel Richardt of Limestone, TN, Meribeth Mermall of Chicago, IL, Timothy Paul Richardt (Ellen) of Virginia Beach, VA, and Charles Adrian Richardt of Travelers Rest, SC; 18 grandchildren, Michael Justin Richardt (Chrissy) of NorCross, GA, Joshua Louis Richardt (Suzi) of Ohio, Lori Beth Peters (Joseph) of Indianapolis, IN, Lindsey Maureen Richardt of Indianapolis, IN, Amanda Sue Robinson (Jeffrey) of Mooresville, IN, Michael Francis Oneglia (Anna) of West Granby, CT, Bria Ann Oneglia (Mark Sabouni) of Philadelphia, PA, Jeffrey Brandon Richardt of Evansville, IN, Bryce Monroe Richardt (Brandy) of Princeton, IN, Preston Blair Richardt (Chasity) of Elberfeld, IN, Brittany Nichole Rupert (Charles) of Jonesborough, TN, Samuel Emmett Mermall (Claire Henderson) of Seattle, WA, Madeleine Rose Mermall of Chicago, IL, Kassandra Marie Kristoff (Joshua) of Neptune Beach, FL, Meghan Renee Wilkins (Matthew) of Japan, Thor Kristian Richardt (Katie) of Alachua, FL, Croix Louis Richardt of Norfolk, VA, and Stephanie Nichole Richardt of Evansville, IN; 20 great-grandchildren, Zachary, Tyler, Atticus, Adley, Charles, Sophie, Abigail, Elizabeth, Gabriella, Isaiah, Mason, Vienna, Conrad, Catalina, Delphine, Rose, Henry, Clover, Bella, and Jameson.
Marguerite was preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, Louis Bernard Richardt; mother, Nancy (Frost) Weedman Shelton Brunson; father, Jantus Weedman; and brothers, Eugene, James and William Weedman.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, December 30, 2024 at St. James Catholic Church, 12300 County Rd. 50, Haubstadt, IN 47639, with Father John Boeglin celebrating. Burial will be held at a later date at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Friends may visit from 12:00 noon until 3:00 pm on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at Browning Funeral Home, 738 E. Diamond Ave., Evansville, IN 47720 and again from 9:00 am until mass time on Monday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Children Incorporated, PO Box 72848 North Chesterfield, VA 23235, an organization that provides educational and other resources to children around the world.
Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com