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Donna Rice Obituary
Donna was born Sept. 3, 1963, in New London, the daughter of Donald Joseph Blake and Mary Nicholette DeNoia. She is a graduate of Fitch High School (Class of '81).
Donna worked as a Paraprofessional at the Montville Board of Education for 15 years. She was the first recognized Paraprofessional of the Year for the Town of Montville in 2014. Donna was incredibly passionate about her career even through her fight with cancer.
Donna is survived by her husband Gary Rice; daughters, Cassandra Rice and Brianna Rice; sister Angela Riley; and twin brother Donald Blake, Jr.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street, Groton. Burial is private.
Donations in Donna's memory to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 in lieu of flowers is appreciated.
Please visit www.byles.com for directions or to sign the guestbook.
Donna, from all who knew and loved you, Thank You.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Peter DiNapoli
June 22, 2019
Gary and Family,
I was saddened to hear of the loss of Donna. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Gary - if you need anything please call.
Pete DiNapoli
Beth Hardesty
June 20, 2019
I am so very sorry to hear about Donna's long battle and eventual loss to breast cancer. Rest in peace, dear, powerful woman.
Kelly Rice
June 20, 2019
I knew Donna from the Middle School. She was a good friend and I miss her
June 20, 2019
To my family. Such a deep painful loss. A wonderful gentle person. No one can ever fill the space of such a powerful woman. Donna will be missed by all. My love to you all. April
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June 20, 2019
To the Rice Family,
My deepest sympathies. Donna was such a lovely woman and a joy to be around. Her courage was an inspiration to everyone.
Deborah Reed-Iler
Pat Larkin
June 20, 2019
Gary and family,
Very sorry for your loss. Will remember you in our prayers.
Jonathan Seavey
June 20, 2019
Gary, my condolences to and your family . She was much to young.
John Schmidt
June 19, 2019
Gary & Family,
So very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies.
Marialice Bunnell
June 19, 2019
Gary and girls, I am so sorry to hear of Donna's passing. I always thought of you two as a great couple,even way back when we were working together at NAPA. So sorry Gary, Love,Marialice
Benjamin Thomas
June 19, 2019
Sorry for your loss. Gods speed to all of you.
CHRISTINE (Sylvia) BOND
June 19, 2019
I remember Donna from childhood. I, being friends with Angela, I spent many a friday night at their home watching the Brady Bunch, and the Partridge family. The Blake family was always warm and welcoming. Donna was always very sweet and funny. Angela, Donald and the rice family, I am so sorry....
Carol Hillyer
June 19, 2019
Prayers and thoughts go to the Rice family. May God wrap his loving arms around all of you who hurt from Donna's passing.
June 19, 2019
To the family of Donna Rice.
She was a caring and compassionate individual to all. She will be missed dearly. May she RIP and her battle is over.
Ann LaGram
Dave StClaire
June 19, 2019
To Gary and family,
I am sorry for your loss.
Dave
June 19, 2019
R.i.p.
Michael Webb
June 19, 2019
Gary and family,
Thinking of you in this sorrowful time. We know you have been strong and supportive for so long. We pray you will be granted grace, and mercy, and peace, and comfort.
Michael and Elyse Webb
Newport News, VA.
Phil Emery
June 19, 2019
Gary. Ellen and I are very sorry to hear about Donna passing. She was a wonderful lady and a great neighbor
Gino DeMaio
June 19, 2019
Cassie, I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish you and your family peace and comfort, now and in the coming days.
Jacquie & Lucas Demetroulakos
June 19, 2019
Gary and family....we are so saddened by this news of Donna. We are thinking of you. Sincerely, Jacquie and Lucas Demetroulakos
Paula Keally
June 18, 2019
Gary, Cassidy bad Bri ,
I am so sad to hear of Donnas passing. She and all of you fought a valiant fight against the cancer that invaded her sweet body. I wish I could have been around you all more in this life but know that I loved the few times we got to share. My heart felt sympathy and love. You have a lifetime of memories and love to sustain you and Donna will be with you always. Watch for signs from Heaven as they will come.
Love and Prayers,
Aunt Paula
Judy Danao
June 18, 2019
Donna's kind, smiling, loved filled personality will be remember for years to come. As she gave love and compassion to so many she will always be loved in return. Please know all the Danao family is with you and thoughts and prayers always!
Linda Hillyer
June 18, 2019
So sorry for your loss
Aunt Ruth Sapp
June 18, 2019
Donna always welcomed us into her home with grace and love. She will be missed greatly but never forgotten. A donation to the Dana Farmer Cancer Institute will be made in Donnas honor. Love and prayers for Gary , Cass, and Bri .❤❤❤❤❤
Beth Sapere
June 18, 2019
Heaven has a new angel my sweet friend Donna. You will be sadly missed.
All my love,
Beth
Tami Beaudoin
June 18, 2019
Donna was an amazing example of the person we should strive to be. She was gracious in the face of adversity. She kept a positive spirit at all times. Her passion for her students was ever present. And, her family was most important, above all. I hope the show of love from all the people she touched brings some joy and peace to her loved ones. Donna was one of a kind.
Mike Healy
June 18, 2019
RIP Donna , you are in good company. My thoughts and prayers are with your family .
Gary Tortora
June 18, 2019
Don, Again... I am so so sorry for your loss.
Dorothy Ford-King
June 18, 2019
I will always remember Donna as an amazing and compassionate paraprofessional and friend. As the Occupational Therapist in Montville, I worked with Donna for her entire time at MPS until my retirement 3 years ago. We had so much fun together, doing cooking groups with the students, coming up with ideas for adaptive equipment and laughing at the crazy situations we always found ourselves facing. I never met her children or husband, but I felt as though I did with her constant updates on family happenings; her kids educations, car accidents (yikes!) and celebrations.
When I think of Donna I smile. Her excitement in finding horrible things to eat like pickle potato chips and edible Easter grass. Her optimism dealing with her illness gave hope to others with cancer. Her love for the children in Special Ed was inspiring.
Donna leaves behind many people that loved her. May she Rest In Peace.
Kathleen Briggs
June 18, 2019
Donna was a positive person and had kind and helpful responses for others going through difficulties. She will be missed. My heart and thoughts are with you all. Kath and Frank
Mary Renaldi
June 18, 2019
Cassie , Bri & Gary ,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time ! Your mom, wife was a wonderful Woman . Always had a smile on her face . I remember when you girls were little and came into the daycare , she was such a pleasure to greet each day . She spent her life striving to make others happy ! She is now at peace , watching over you all , she was one of those people nobody will ever Forget . I wish you peace during this difficult time . My thoughts and prayers are with you ! God , Take care of donna shes one of the Great ones !!!
Rebecca Zubritsky
June 18, 2019
Donna was truly always a cheerful bright person and a good friend! Her spark around town will be missed deeply!! To all her family god bless you all sending strength, love and prayers!
Rebecca Zubritsky
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