June 2, 1919 - October 8, 2015
Lois Corke De Santis, age 96, of Richfield. Lois was born on June 2, 1919 to George R. and Margaret R. Corke in Evanston, IL. Lois died October 8, 2015. Preceded in death by parents, George and Margaret Corke, Baby Boy DeSantis; son, Richard DeSantis; sister, Marion Bailey and brother, John R. Corke. Survived by husband, Camillo DeSantis; son, Brian A. DeSantis; granddaughters, Nicole Caine (Michael) and Maria DeSantis; grandson, Richard A. DeSantis, of Newton, NJ; niece, Judy Miller; nephews, Rick Bailey (Terry), and Don Bailey and great-grandson, Charlie Caine.
At about age 8, Lois' family moved to Westfield, NJ, where Lois attended public school. She graduated from Swarthmore College, majoring in Psychology and from Columbia School of Social Work. In high school, Lois was a Girl Scout camp counselor. Her Social Work career began in Hartford, CT, at a neighborhood center. Subsequent work experience included being on the staff of the Detroit Community Health and Welfare Council, Personnel Director for the National Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers in New York City, Citizens Club in Minneapolis, Adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work, Executive Secretary for the Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and intake worker for Rembrandt Retirement Enterprises in Edina.
Lois and Camillo were married on June 2, 1956 in Rochester, Mass., and moved one week later to Richfield, MN to continue their settlement house social work careers. Lois was a member of the Richfield League of Women Voters, the P.E.O. Sisterhood for over 70 years, and the United Methodist Women and Bible Study Groups at Good Samaritan United Methodist Church in Edina. At G.S.U.M.C., Lois advocated for the church becoming a reconciling church, welcoming Gays and Lesbians as open members of the congregation.
Lois was an advocate for Women's Rights and Human Rights and served on the Richfield Human Rights Commission. She was the recipient of the first Richfield Human Rights Service Award, and she was one of the founders of VEAP. Lois was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and took great pride in nurturing her two adopted Chippewa sons and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchild grow up. Lois and the family enjoyed many years of camping throughout the United States, especially in the Southwest, West and Northwest and western and central Canada.
The family extends special gratitude and appreciation to the Staff and Volunteers at N.C. Little Hospice in Edina for their comforting care of Lois.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor's choice.
Memorial Service
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
11:00 AM
Good Samaritan United Methodist Church
5730 Grove Street
Edina, MN 55436
Interment
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Fort Snelling National Cemetery
7601 34th Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN
Visitation
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Good Samaritan United Methodist Church
5730 Grove Street
Edina, MN 55436
Lois gave so much to her family and community- she is already missed but there is solace knowing that her love lives on with her family and friends. Her life of social service and work for social justice was impressive- she was a true pioneer for her time and remained active in causes she supported up until the end. I won’t forget the conversations I had with her over the years, most particularly our last one in February 2015. May she rest in peace.
I have such fond memories of Lois from her years at Richfield United Methodist Church. I learned so much from her about how important it is to do justice not just talk about it. I so loved her passion for social justice .Rest in peace Lois.
When we had to move my mother to Minnesota from Wisconsin, Lois was instrumental in finding a place for mom to live at the Rembrandt Retirement facility. At that time, Lois was a member of Richfield United Methodist Church. My mother, like Lois, was a true advocate for social justice. I have always felt so blessed to have had Lois’s help during that stressful move for my mother. Blessings to the De Santis family.