D'Esta Rich Verdicchio

In the second hour of Monday, January 10th, 2022, at 1:40 am, D’Esta Rich Verdicchio took a final grateful breath on earth to answer The Lord's call to join eternal life. Although frail and tired, she was at peace to arrive in a sweet reunion with her lord, her beloved Anam Cara - Peter, her parents, family, and friends that had left before her.

D’Esta was born April 3rd, 1940, in Dennison Texas to Mont Rich and Leona Rich Speck. She was the oldest of two children, sharing a childhood with her brother Eddie Rich. She was also blessed later in life with stepsister Louise James. A woman ahead of her time, possessing such strong qualities of intelligence, reverence, faith and strong will to name a few. She was humble and never giving herself enough credit, D’Esta accomplished a lot during her time on Earth, especially in her Catholic faith and service to others. She graduated from Saint John Vianney Catholic High School in 1958 where she discovered her love for the Catholic faith. On the 24th of October 1959, she married her soul friend or “Anam Cara” Peter Verdicchio Jr. Their loving marriage soon produced beloved sons Peter III and wife AnnMarie, Stephen and wife Helene, and Scott. She was a devoted and loving mother and wife, all while continuing her passion for her faith and education at Aquinas Institute of Theology, where she completed her masters in Art Pastoral Ministry. After completing her masters degree she soon became the Religious Education Director over The Archdiocese of Oklahoma, a position she humbly served for 15 years.

Though many of her proudest moments were those spent with family and all the work done in faith, she was the humblest of all, truly unassuming and self-effacing. D’Esta did all that she did for others just for the sole reason to do unto others, expecting nothing in return. She loved to read and write and if you asked she would be more than willing to lend you any of her books or beautiful pieces of her own writing. She was truly a beautiful and profound person and all who knew her were lucky to be graced with her presence in their life.

 D’Estas legacy lives on through her sons and their families. Her grandchildren Megan, Paige, Mitchell, Nicholas, John-Paul, Marie’Claire, Drew, and Lauren; and great grandchildren Parker, Roman, Ruby, Hattie, Olive and Leona, know and love her as Grammy. An advocate to all with never any judgement you could depend on her smile and the comfort and security she gave to us, her family and friends, and you still can.

Services: Friday, January 14th, 2022, at 6:30 pm at Lynlee May Chapel and Event Center.

507 E. Main St.

Moore, OK

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