FIRST OF TWO PARTS
This is the first in the Springfield News-Sun two-part series about Unsung Heroes in the area. The News-Sun asked readers to submit nominations of people who go above and beyond to help others but rarely receive recognition for their work.
Kathy Rigel didn’t have to go to far to find inspiration for helping others. She watched her mother, Clara Herold, give each and every day.
Her mother was a woman who never said ‘No’ to her parish, said Rigel, a Springfield resident.
“She was real quiet about what she did, but she did a lot,” Rigel said.
Like her mom, Rigel, 64, is paying it forward. She serves faithfully and tirelessly at St. Raphael’s Parish in Springfield, where she’s attended since childhood.
She’s a strong and caring physical presence at the church, said St. Raphael’s Deacon Norm Horstman. It’s not about what Rigel can do for people, but rather what they need from her, Horstman said.
“It’s always ‘What can I do,’ ” Horstman said.
She will drive parishioners not just to church, but where ever they need to go, including doctor’s appointments and the grocery store, Horstman said. She also drives a parishioner with special needs to and from Mass each and every Sunday, showing unconditional love to those in need, he said.
Horstman says it’s humbling to see her in action.
“Instead of looking at how much she’s helped a person, she looks at how much more she can help,” Horstman said. “She’s always looking at it from the point of view ‘Can I do more?’ ”
Rigel even delivers holy communion to home-bound parishioners, Horstman said.
“She’ll visit them and it doesn’t matter if they’re Catholic or not,” Horstman said. “All that matters is that there’s a need.”
Rigel doesn’t advertise her good deeds, said sister Linda Cochenour, who nominated her as a Springfield News-Sun Unsung Hero.
“She does a lot of things for a lot of different people,” Cochenour said. “She’s always there for people and doesn’t expect anything in return.”
Every parish needs volunteers like Rigel who are dedicated to helping the community, said St. Raphael’s secretary Shirley Whitacre.
“We’re very fortunate to have her,” Whitacre said.
A few years ago, Whitacre had to help her husband with a medical issue. Rigel was there every day filling Whitacre shoes, she said.
“She never hesitates to help people,” Whitacre said. “She doesn’t wait to be asked; she volunteers.”
She also lends a hand for gatherings at the church, making cookies and washing towels. She serves on the Bereavement Committee, helping families after funerals. She’s also served as the Parish Council secretary for the last 15 years, taking minutes during meetings.
In the past, she’s volunteered for both Interfaith Hospitality Network and the St. John’s Rainbow Table.
She retired from her position as a speech therapist at Springfield City Schools in 2002 and worked in a similar position for 10 years part-time. Rigel and her husband, Tim, have three children, Nick, Ryan and Liz.
Rigel said Horstman is a big factor in her life.
“You can’t say ‘No’ to Norm,” Rigel said. “He’s real good about getting people involved.”
Rigel, a Catholic Central High School and Bowling Green State University graduate, also credited longtime friend Barbara Moore, who recently passed away. She helped get Rigel involved with IHN and other service-based organizations.
“She really taught me a lot about living a Christian life and doing things for other people,” Rigel said. “I have to give her a lot of credit for what I do.”
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