Sally J. Rice

Sally Jean RiceSally Rice, 63, died Tuesday, Nov 25, 2014 at the Manor Nursing Home in Morrisville, VT with her family at her side. Sally died from complications resulting from having juvenile onset diabetes since she was 19. Sally was born January 11, 1951 in Elmira, NY, the daughter of Jeannette (Decker) Wilson and Wilbur E. Wilson. She lived in Wellsburg, NY until 1961 when the family moved to Horseheads, NY. Sally graduated from Horseheads High School in 1969 and attended Plattsburgh State University. Sally graduated from Corning Community College and was certified as a Registered Nurse in 1974. She was employed at Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira, NY for 31 years and was known for her compassion and knowledge. Her co-workers often depended on her as a source of jokes and funny stories. Sally was well known for her sense of humor.In 1976, Sally married Michael Rice in Elmira, and they made their home in Elmira, NY. Mike and Sally enjoyed travelling; going to Disney World with their daughter Carrie was a preferred destination. Mike predeceased her in 1994. Sally was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Wellsburg where she enjoyed her Wellsburg friends, relatives and memories of her childhood, especially with childhood and lifelong friend Diane (Stewart) Metell now of Keene, NH and Diane's parents, Jane and Harry Stewart of Elmira. When Sally's health kept her from floor nursing she worked on the Nurse's Line telephone desk at Arnot Ogden and also did some private contract nursing. In 2005, when Sally's health prevented her from doing full time work she moved to Morrisville, VT to be closer to the family of her brother, Edward Wilson and wife Mary Ann. Sally lived independently until 2013 when she moved into The Manor Nursing Home in Morrisville. The staff at the Manor made her feel like she was part of their family and she knew she was being cared for by professionals who truly loved her and showed her that love every day. Sally is survived by her daughter Carrie Rice and partner John Hicks of Bradenton, FL whose daughters Nyomie Jean and Genavieve Elisabeth Hicks were the most important people in her world. Sally was able to spend three glorious weeks in Florida with them in September of this year. Sally was also able to see and touch Nyomie and Genna the day before she died, and it was an obvious and powerful comfort to her. Sally is also survived by brother Mike Wilson (Nancy) of Sperry, OK and nieces Kelli Wilson (Joel Sense), Kira Kelsey (David), Kim Rampy (David), nephew Michael (Brandi) and many grandnieces and grandnephews in Oklahoma. Also surviving Sally are brother Edward Wilson and wife Mary Ann (who took care of Sally and her needs and affairs like a sister), nephew Brad Wilson (Jenny), children Jake and Wesley and niece Sarah Stutz (Steve) and their children Samuel, Addie and Matthew, cousin Gordon Decker (Heather), all of Morrisville. She is also survived by numerous loving cousins throughout the US.A memorial service for Sally was held at the First Congregational Church, Morrisville, VT on Sunday November 30, 2014 at 2:00 PM. Contributions in Sally's memory can be made to the First Congregational Church, PO Box 475, Morrisville, VT 05661, or The Manor Nursing Home, 577 Washington Highway, Morrisville, VT 05661 (www.themanorvt.org).The family is extremely grateful for the care and comfort that Sally and her family received from the staff at The Manor and at Copley Hospital. We would also like to thank Dr. Phil Kiely for taking care of Sally in such a loving way and for the peace he brought to the family by making sure that we always understood what was happening to Sally. Sally's remains will be scattered in her hometown at the Wellsburg, NY cemetery, near the graves of her parents and other family members.