Ann Rice

1954 - 2016

Ann Blakely Rice
1954-2016
Ann Blakely Rice passed away, surrounded by her brothers, her sister and her devoted caregiver, on Saturday, the 9th of April 2016 at the age of 61.
Ann was born on the 28th of May 1954 to Browne Botts Rice Jr. and Ann Townes Rice. She was a 5th generation Houstonian and lived in Houston most of her life, though for the last 20 years, Ann lived in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Ann was an extremely gifted person, interested in many things. She was a writer, publishing two books of poems and inspirational insights. She was also a painter, a song- writer, a musician and a lover of plants and animals. She taught classes on herbs in Kerrville and volunteered at the Houston Arboretum. Ann loved to travel and was a riveting storyteller. Known to embellish her stories just a bit, which is a family trait, Ann kept the stories of her family's rich history alive and well.
Somewhere deep inside her has always been a cowgirl: there are great memories of her as a little girl wearing a holster with two plastic 6-shooters around her waist, a fringed fake leather vest, boots and a red cowboy hat. As a young girl, she loved horses and spent as much time as possible riding her horse "Sage Chick" at the family ranch.
Ann will be remembered as a very fun-loving person. If a few family or friends were gathered together at her house, she was known to pass out a variety of musical instruments to everybody, mostly hand drums, shakers and kalimbas, to accompany while she played guitar. Musical talent was of no importance, a good time was all that mattered.
Although Ann had no children of her own, she was known for her extreme generosity to her nieces and nephews. She made a huge impact on their lives in many ways. They can occasionally be heard repeating little unique expressions that their Aunt Ann always used to say.
Ann was known for a certain special kind of flair, which she exhibited in everything that she did. This flair reflected her deep love and admiration for two of her mentors: her grandmother Kathleen Blakely Broun and her mother's best friend Audrey Jones Beck.
Ann was a seeker of truth and explored many different aspects of spirituality and healing during her adult years. In her last days, she expressed that she was confident and at peace that, having lived a very good and full life, she was ready to be with Jesus.
Ann is survived by her brother, Browne B. Rice III and his wife Pam; her sister, Katie Rice Lyons and her husband Jeff; her brother, John Townes Rice and his wife Laura. Nieces and nephews include Blakely Rice, Kate Rice, Maggie Lyons Weller, Patrick Lyons, Rachel Rice Saunders, Libby Brown-Rice and Joel Rice.
Special thanks go out to Ann's caregiver and friend, Patricia de Leon, who would not leave her bedside at the hospital and to Abner Hesskew, her groundskeeper/handyman in Center Point.
A celebration of Ann's life will be held at ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 22nd of April, at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue in Houston. A reception will follow that evening, from six o'clock until eight o'clock, at the Hotel ZaZa, 5701 Main Street in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Houston Arboretum or the charity of your choice.