Wanda Richardson

Wanda Majette Richardson was born on September 24, 1951, to the late Ida and Kenneth Thornton in Reidsville, North Carolina. She spent her formative years in West Chester, PA. In 1970, she met her late husband Dennis Richardson. They moved to Staten Island, NY where she resided until she transitioned unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

In 1981, Wanda completed her bachelor’s degree in social work. In 2005, she obtained her master’s degree in social work. She truly embodied the very essence of “Social Work”. It wasn’t what she did, it was who she was. She was and will forever be the epitome of unconditional love as reflected by the many lives she touched. A woman of class and stature who divinely intervened in the lives of others when they needed it most. Throughout her life’s journey, she left an imprint and an impact on several social service systems that often hold underserved populations hostage: Foster care, adoption, homelessness, alcoholism, drug addiction, and the legal system. The one social system that she held most near and dear to her heart, the system that she never gave up on or retired from, the system that she poured her heart, soul, sweat in tears into, up until the day God called her to glory…was family.

Her love language was cooking and celebrating. Her home was void of judgement; she never turned anyone away. Come one, come all, eat, laugh, dance and celebrate for life is worth celebrating! Every occasion whether big or small was a reason for her to cook. Sunday family dinners, birthdays, new births, graduations (from kindergarten to college), new jobs, retirement, holidays and if for no other reason…..LIFE. Her favorite song, “Love is the message”, a reflection of what she embodied though out her life. The song was the very core of her existence as she gave unconditionally to others. Music radiated throughout her life and her home. Her favorite dance was the bop! She loved to bop, and on occasions, if the situation warranted it, she would bop you! She was firm yet grounded in love.

She was the glue that held the family together. May her love, legacy and unapologetic selflessness continue to live on in others. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Joe and Ray. She is survived by her sisters, Sheila Reynolds (James), Ida Thornton, Jacqueline El and Carolyn Hughs (Robert). Left to carry her legacy on are her beloved children, Shawn Littman (Ronnie), Regina Dale (Thomas) and Dennis Richardson. Five grandchildren: Raven, Bryant, Dennis, Najee, and Jeremiah, four great-grandchildren: Savanna, Nasir, Dimitri, and expecting Noah, and a host of other family members: aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends.