Gilda E. Rzchowski

Gilda E. Rzchowski (nee Eldridge) age 90, passed away Jan 3, 2023 at her home in hospice surrounded by family after a long illness. Gilda (nee Eldridge) was preceded in death by her brother Wayne (Bud) Eldridge of Cleveland, OH, her parents Irene and Rolla Eldridge of Christopher, Illinois, and her husband Frank Rzchowski. She is survived by her son Mark (Robin Craig) Rzchowski of Madison, WI, daughter Dacia Rzchowski of Blue Springs, her granddaughters Sophie Rzchowski of Santiago, Chile and Anna Rzchowski of Madison, WI, her nephews Bud (Jan) Eldridge of Medina, OH and Randall Eldridge of Ohio, and her cousins Doris (Dot) Roth of St. Louis and Sue Thomason of Carmi, IL. After graduating high school in Christopher, Gilda attended Huff Business school in Kansas City for court reporting. She moved to St. Louis where she worked as a court reporter, before purchasing and operating the court-reporting business. After marrying in 1955, she and Frank raised two children in their Crestwood home. Gilda sold her business after the birth of their second child, after which she focused on volunteer work and raising their children, encouraging them to work hard and choose a fulfilling career. She was an active volunteer (Girl Scout leader, Day Camp Director, member of the Manor Grove Nursing Home Board of Directors of for many years). She loved movies, the theater, the opera, museums, and historic talks. She enjoyed traveling to new places both inside and outside of the United States, and visiting her children and grandchildren in Madison and Blue Springs. She was an active long-term member of Webster Groves Christian Church, serving on church committees and participating in women’s bible study. Later in life, she always enjoyed the church choir performances when watching virtual services from home. Gilda was an avid gardener and picked out new flowers and trees every year for her yard. She loved sitting on the back porch with her cat, Lydia, looking out at her gardens and watching the birds enjoying her birdbath and feeders. She was blessed to have many good church friends and loyal neighbors and friends who checked in with her often, and to develop friendships with the trusted companions and caregivers that helped her with household chores, and personal and health care. As was her wish, no services will be held. Should you wish to remember Gilda, in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the National Audubon Society (www.audubon.org) and tribute comments can be made at Chapel Hill Mortuary’s website: www.stlfuneral.com/obituarie

Gilda E. Rzchowski

November 16, 1932 - January 3, 2023