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Ann Rice Obituary
A vigil is 7 p.m. Friday at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Ann's Cathedral. Please use the alley entrance off 8th Street into the St. Ann's parking lot. A reception will follow at NeighborWorks, 509 1st Ave. S. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Ann Rice was born in Anaconda, Mont., on Jan. 6, 1911, to Irish immigrants John and Ellen Calnan, whose Irish name in County Cork was "Cullinane." She was the eighth of 10 children and the first born in America.
She married James P. D. Rice on May 23, 1930, in Plains, Mont. Ann and Jim were married for 62 years and had 12 children. They lived in Anaconda until 1950, when they moved to Great Falls.
After her youngest child started school, Ann operated a home day care for 25 years, where dozens of kids knew her as "Gramma Rice." She also worked at her daughter's restaurant, "Times Two," into her 80s.
Ann was a parishioner of St. Ann's Cathedral and a member of the Central Catholic High School Mother's Club for every year of the club's existence. She was a superb seamstress who sewed many of her children's clothes and made doll clothes for the Salvation Army Christmas dolls for many years. She was well-known for her great sense of humor.
Survivors include daughter Marianne Sanchez and her husband Richard of Palm Desert, Calif., and their children Paul, Tai, Tomas, Michael, Robert and Anna Kei; daughter Sandy Rice of Palmer, Pa., and her children Bryan Chapman and Sheila Anne Winchel; son Ed and his wife Lorraine of Lihue, Hawaii, and their children Steve, Andrew and Angela Rice and Sammee Albano, and son Ken of Erie, Colo., and his children John and Jennifer Rice; and grandchildren Rachelle, J. J., Scott, Dan Rice and Amy Jones (children of deceased son Jimmy with his wife Barb Rice Rorabaugh). Surviving sons of Great Falls are Ted and his children Whitney and John Colter Rice; Greg and his children Martin and Rhiannon Rice and Bob Voegel; and Charlie Rice. Surviving Great Falls daughters are Kathryn Rice and her children Sean Oglesbee, Kevin, Ryan and Kathy Gilbert; Zedda Gallegos and her husband Ernie and their children Lisa, Tom and John Paul Gallegos; Sheila Rice and her children Chris and Michael Jensen; Susan Rice and her husband Larry Strizich and her son Adam Quinn; and 35 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her son Jimmy; her grandchildren Alan Gallegos, Elizabeth Anne Jensen-Rice, Bryan Voegel and Alex Oglesbee; her parents; and five brothers and four sisters.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Great Falls Children's Receiving Home, P.O. Box 1061, Great Falls, MT 59403; the Rescue Mission, 326 2nd Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59405; St. Ann's Soup Kitchen, 715 3rd Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401; or Right to Life, P.O. Box 6787, Helena, MT 59601.
Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ann Rice
David Tacke
September 8, 2009
Greetings with Sincere Rejoyment and Condolences for Family & Friends of Mrs. Rice: I'll bet there's a butt load bunch of baby angle grin'n today cuz Mrs. Rice is give'n them ideas and baken pumpkin pie from her special DelMonte canned pumkin recipe that yeilds a pie that make you want to behave for, or at least try to think you're behaving. Mrs. Rice was / is (in lessons) a treasure for those of us who were lucky enough to meet her. I'll alway charish the positive and enlighting influence that she shared for youth and Great Falls. I extend my sincere sympathy & prayers for what is missing in her passing. For always grateful of her compassion and generousity. D.B. Tacke
August 18, 2009
Sandy - I was sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I have such happy memories of play times at your house. Your mom always made all of the kids feel like your house was our house.
Leslie Paul (Bill and Sue Arnold)
Ken Periman
August 17, 2009
Ken Periman ([email protected]) wrote on August 13, 2009:
On behalf of the Periman Family I wish to extend our deepest condolences on Annie's passing,the girl from "Goose Town" is now at Peace and I am sure she is dancing with Jim in Heaven. I used to bring over a sixer of Diet Pepsi and chat with Annie about Anaconda ,she told me her Dad's name was imprinted on just about every street corner in Anaconda as he was a concrete finnisher and I remebered seeing them as a kid going to Saint Pete's in Anaconda and all over town. To all the Rice Clan I've had the pleasure of calling Friends and all the rest I hope to meet someday, Gramma Rice was a true Icon and a wonderful conversationalist and a dear Friend. Due to work responsibilities I am unable to attend Celebration Mass for Annie but You are all in my prayers. Kenny
Doug Mann
August 16, 2009
To Sheila and Susan, I really enjoyed the opportunities I had to meet your mother. She was truely a treasure! She will continue to live on in all of those great stories that you share with folks! I was just telling the one last week about her not feeling old until her oldest signed up for social security! The best to both of you and your families.
The Manns (Doug and Cathie)
Lynne Hills/Hannegan
August 16, 2009
She was such a fun Aunt to have. When she came to visit us I would want to hang on every word she spoke. She was funny and wise. I am so glad Sharon and I went to see her this year. And got her to smile by singing a song she had taught us. Love to all the Rice and Calnan's
Jim & Gina Myers
August 16, 2009
Dear Rice Family members,
We were blessed to have been a part of Ann's life. She was such a wonderful, strong, and caring woman. My most vivid memormy of Ann was the look on her face the morning I ran in through the back kitchen door; she and my mom were sitting there chatting over a cup of coffee. I was frozen and couldn't speak, but when my mom turned and looked at me she immediately exclaimed, "Did you set the house on fire?!" I had, and I can still remember Ann's comfort and ability to find humor in that situation. She truly was a mother to us all and a big part of our family life growing up. Our sincerest sympathy to all the Rice clan on Ann's passing. You are in our prayers.
Edward Myers
August 15, 2009
Ann was a great caregiver and a good friend. She took great care of me when I was a kid. I wish her family well.
Joanne and Gerald Gray
August 15, 2009
To Sheila, Chris, and Michael: Gerald and I wish to extend our sympathy on the loss of your mother and grandmother. She was such a very special person to our family since our boys were such dear friends of Chris. Also, she cared for Joani as well as David. We all have such fond memories of this wonderful woman. She was such a kind lady, and always thought of others first. The kids loved "Grandma Rice," and never ever bulked at going to daycare. She gave each child a sense of respect and security. My God wrap his arms around this wonderful lady. We were blessed to know her.
Joanne and Gerald Gray
Pat Moriarty
August 15, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of a very special lady, Ann Rice. She was wonderful and caring person and a 2nd mother to all who grew up on the north side. Enjoy your many special thoughts at this time of sorrow and joy.
Cathy Bailey
August 14, 2009
My very first memory of Mrs. Rice were the cinnamon rolls she brought to our family when we moved in across the street. I also remember she helped me win 3rd place in the Pet and Doll Parade when she altered one of her older girls Prom dresses to fit me, and used the left over material to make a dress for my dog.
I always tried to stop and say hello when I came to Great Falls to catch the latest of what all the "Rice Kids" where up to.
We often talked about Sassy (I think that was the poodle's name)and how she would bark and bark when she would see my dad, who also happened to be her veterinarian.
I really thank all of you for inviting Cliff and I to come over last summer to hang out with you. It was so fun visiting and sharing the memories, but especially giving Ann a big hug. Being with all the Rice's is like hanging out with my own brothers and sister. Especially you Susan!
As God rejoices in Mrs. Rice's arrival, may you find peace in what a wonderful life she lead, and the impact she made on so many of us. As tears shed, let there be a wonderful memory, and for every memory a smile.
God Bless all of you!
Heidi Nybo Johnson
August 14, 2009
All my condolences to the Rice clan. What a wonderful life "Gramma Rice" shared with so many. I think of her as a very simple woman - simply happy, simply loving and simply giving. Her wonderful laugh and sense of humor will not be forgotten. Rejoice in the memories.
Patty Horan-White
August 14, 2009
I'll miss you Grandma, the only grandma I ever knew
Barbara Erickson-Kinney
August 14, 2009
Dear Family, my deepest sympathy for your loss. Ann was such a lovely and wonderful lady, and I feel blessed to have known such a fine person as she was. She touched so many lives in so many positive ways, and she's left some great children to carry on. May you find comfort in each other and in fond memories of Ann at this time.
The congregation at Calvary Chapel of Great Falls
August 14, 2009
To Ann's Family & Friends,
You have our deepest sympathy at this time of loss and we are truly thankful for the abundant blessings she bestowed throughout her life. May the Lord, Jesus Christ, make His loving presence known to you in ever more special ways as you are comforted and healed through His awesome power.
Judy Gusick
August 14, 2009
A long life, well lived, and yet it's hard to let our parents go.
You have our sympathy.
Judy(Klinke) and Joe Gusick
Patricia Zale
August 13, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bob Myers
August 13, 2009
I'll miss you, grandma.
Daniel Kelly
August 13, 2009
I celebrate what Gramma Rice brought to Great Falls through her legacy of children to great grandchildren. The Rice family is one of the treasures of Great Falls. Thank you Ann Rice.
Center for Mental Health Foundation
August 13, 2009
On behalf of the CMH Foundation staff and board, we send condolences to the Rice family. We are celebrating the life of Ann "Gramma" Rice. What a beautiful legacy.
August 13, 2009
It was always a joy to visit with Grandma Rice. She will be greatly missed. Brian, Mary, Carley and Devlin O'Rourke
August 13, 2009
Our prayers are with you. Your mom had such a full, wonderful life. Judy Rogers, Guild Mortgage and Chuck Rogers (formerly owner of Coffee Etc)
August 13, 2009
I have known Ann since the early 50's and learned a lot from her about raising a family. Both Jim and Ann were wonderful parents and enjoyed life.
Pat Clark
Jim Romenesko
August 13, 2009
With improbable odds, Gramma Rice was a contagion of goodness, blessing others into this world, one person at a time.
Thanks to her, we live better knowing she's finally resting easy.
Jayne McManus
August 13, 2009
What a great lady!! Gramma Rice touched so many lives in such a positive, loving way! She was truly one of Great Falls' finest!
August 13, 2009
Our condolences to all of the Rice families, expecially, Rosella, Sheila, Kay, and Ted. I remember Mrs. Rice so well. I spent a few nights at your home when I was in grade school with Rosella. I was so impressed by the love and friendliness your family shared. I also thought it was special that your family was featured on the Ayrshire Dairy tv ads. May Mrs. Rice have eternal rest with God our father in heaven. Carl and I will remember all of you in our Mass this weekend.
Carl and Nadine (Young) Diekhans
Elko, NV
John Rice
August 13, 2009
We will all miss you very much. You were kind and loving.
Andrea (Andi) Walsh-Dowell
August 13, 2009
My deepest sympathies to the family. Gramma Rice will always be in our hearts. My sisters and I enjoyed so many years of fun with her.
Charlotte Graves
August 13, 2009
I'm keeping you all in my prayers! She was a wonderful woman. We miss you Gramma Rice! Thanks for taking such good care of us kids over the years!
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