Elaine Lonnquest Rickard's Obituary
Mrs. Elaine Lonnquest Rickard, age 83, of Potomac Falls, VA, died suddenly of complications from congestive heart failure on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at The Johnson Center at Falcons Landing in Potomac Falls, VA.
Born on September 30, 1926 in San Diego, CA, Mrs. Rickard was the daughter of the late Rear Admiral Theodore Clayton Lonnquest, USN, and the late Marie Born Lonnquest.
Mrs. Rickard is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, Samuel Harmer Rickard III of Potomac Falls, VA. She is also survived by her daughter, Kristin R. Spak & son-in-law Michael R. Spak of Leesburg, VA; four grandchildren, Brian T. Spak and Nicholas M. Spak of Boulder, CO; Samuel T. Rickard of Gaithersburg, MD; and Jessica L. White of Ashburn, VA; and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Rickard was predeceased by her son Samuel Lonnquest Rickard in March of 2007, and her brother Theodore Clayton Lonnquest, Jr. in 1979.
Mrs. Rickard was a graduate of Goucher College, class of 1947, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and was an accomplished horseback rider. She married Samuel H. Rickard in 1955, and accompanied him abroad on numerous diplomatic assignments as a member of the Foreign Service. Among the countries where the Rickards were assigned were India, Jordan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. As a result of her travels, Mrs. Rickard developed a lifelong interest in and affinity for the culture and history of South Asia and the Middle East. Mrs. Rickard also had an abiding love of nature and the animal world and she instilled that appreciation in her family. She was a devoted supporter of animal rescue and conservation efforts.
The family will receive guests from 11 am until the time of services at 12 noon on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Cr. SE, Leesburg, VA.
Interment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium, Arlington, VA.
Memorial contributions may take the form of donations toward one of the following charities to assist animals in need:
Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org) or the Washington Animal Rescue League (www.warl.org).
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