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Rita Rice Obituary
Her husband, Paul V. Rice, Sr. died in 1972. She leaves her longtime companion, Richard C. Valiquette of Auburn; her five children, Paul V. Rice, Jr. and his wife Jean of Auburn, John J. Rice, Sr. of Worcester, Timothy M. and his fiancé Dottie Jeanne of Whitinsville, Rosemary Lesinski and her husband Michael of Mashpee, and Mariellyn Abbott and her husband Dana of Ayer; her two brothers, Francis and Bernard McMenemy, both of Worcester; her sister, Joan Dolan of West Boylston; her 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Walter, Robert, George and William McMenemy, and Ann Horne, Mary Conant and Carol Jordan. She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Walter J. and Anna M. (McKeown) McMenemy and has lived in Auburn nearly all of her life. She graduated from South High School, Class of 1944 and the Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing in 1948.
Mrs. Rice owned and operated the former Auntie Rita's Nursery School in Auburn for many years. She then worked as an agent and broker for Century 21 Maher Real Estate in Auburn. Rita then returned to nursing working in the Pediatric Unit of Saint Vincent Hospital, and later for several years at the Glavin Regional Center in Shrewsbury before retiring. She was a member of North American Martyrs Parish, a member and past president of the Auburn Woman's Club, and volunteered as a nurse for the Auburn Notables Drum and Bugle Corps and for the Special Olympics. She was also a CCD teacher and a Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack 101.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, Oct. 31st from 4-7 PM in Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central St., Auburn. Her funeral will be held on Saturday, November 1st from the funeral home with a Mass celebrated at 11 AM in North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Dr., Auburn. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Auburn. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, One Elmwood Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66103 www.cfcausa.org
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Memories and Condolences
for Rita Rice
LYNDA PRATTE
November 1, 2008
I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS I WAS RITA'S HOMEMAKER FOR YEARS AND SHE WAS A WONDERFUL WOMAN
Gail Wright
November 1, 2008
To all of my Rice cousins & families,
I am sorry I can not attend Auntie Rita's services. I have such great memories of your Mom from when I was younger. I saw her this summer and I will remember her great smile she gave us all!
Gail(McMenemy)Wright
Judy Plante
October 31, 2008
Dear Family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of "Auntie Rita". She was a wonderful person, a dear friend and an inspiring teacher. We have endearing memories of her that will last forever. Please know she will remain in our hearts and our prayers.
Love and God bless you all.
Bill and Betty Tynan; Judy, David and Jennifer Plante, Bill Tynan, Jim and Linda Tynan
RUTHANN NOLAN
October 30, 2008
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
PEACE TO YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR FAMILY
Linda Marando
October 30, 2008
I am so sorry for your lose. Rita was such a wonderful person. She was allways in a good mood. Even when she didn't feel good. And she was allways talking about how wonderful her family was. She will be greatly missed. I will keep all of you in my prays. She will be watching over all of you now
Louie & Pat Naple
October 30, 2008
Dear John and Family Members,
It is never easy to lose someone you love. Your Mom may be gone but her Spirit will live in you. You will see her in many different ways.
May God give you strength during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Semper Fi
Michael McOsker
October 30, 2008
Paul and Family , my sympathy to you on the loss of Rita. May God take her home and heal the Rice Family
Susan Schultz and family
October 30, 2008
My condolences to the Rice and McMenemy family. Although I haven't seen Great Auntie Rita for many of years I will miss her. She was always such a "Great" Auntie.
Sandra Legasey
October 30, 2008
Rosemary , Mike and family,
I am so sorry to see the passing of such a kind woman. My deepest sympathies.
Connor Benedict
October 30, 2008
GG,
I know you are in heaven now with your husband. In heaven, you are young again and you can run!
I always had alot of fun at your house. You gave me treats and toys alot. I loved riding in the green chair and feeding your fish. I will share my memories of you with my younger brothers. I will miss you. I love you.
Connor
xxoo
Walter Merriam
October 30, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Norman & Donna Abbott
October 29, 2008
Mariellen and family. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate Rita's life. She was a wonderful mother to her children and a great friend to many others.
She will certainly be missed.
Dianne Person
October 29, 2008
Dear Mariellen and Rosemary, It is with heartfelt sympathy that I write this note of condolence to you and your family. Rita was one of my mother's dearest friends - they were a tight circle - Marion, Josie, my Mom and your Mom and I will always cherish having 4 mothers!! Rita has a piece of my heart and has touched my life in a special way. Love, Dianne (Betty Suliman's daughter)
Butch McHugh
October 29, 2008
She will be sorely missed by all of us who loved her. Many happy memories and good times. Thanks, Reet, for the gift of your children, especially Rosemary.
Doreen Lupo
October 29, 2008
Dear Rice Family Members, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Mother. May the memories that now bring you tears, soon turn into smiles. Sincerely, Doreen Lupo
Susan Richard
October 29, 2008
To Mariellyn and the Rice Family,
We are so sorry to hear about your mother...she was a great lady and was well loved...David and Kelly will remember her as their nursery school teacher..Don and I will remember her from all of the gatherings that we attended...our thoughts and prayers are with you and Dick....The Richard Family
Ann (McMenemy) Dick
October 29, 2008
Aunt Rita, i missed you when you were here, now i will miss you more, loved all the good times we had, to you aunt Rita ring around the roses love you
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Britton-Wallace Funeral Home - Auburn91 Central Street, Auburn, MA 01501
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