Jeanne Barry RICE

RICE, Jeanne Barry
Died at 11:40p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.

Jeanne was born in Oakland, California on March 1, 1921. Her ancestors on her mother's and father's side immigrated to California from Ireland during the potato famine in the mid-19th Century. Her mother's father, Michael John Keller, was a successful owner of Men's Clothing Stores in Oakland in the late 19th Century.

Jeanne grew up in Oakland and Piedmont and graduated from Piedmont High School in 1939. Jeanne's mother died when she was 13 years old, and her father and his three unmarried sisters raised her. Jeanne enrolled in the University of California at Berkeley in September 1939 and joined the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. Jeanne's father died when she was a freshman at Cal. She graduated from Cal in February 1943 as an economics major.

Jeanne married George A. Rice, Jr. on March 23, 1943. Immediately after their marriage, Jeanne and George lived in Texas and Florida while George was in Navy flight training school. Their son George A. Rice III ('Jeep') was born August 9, 1944 at the Jacksonville, Florida naval station. After the war, George, Jeanne and Jeep moved to Lafayette, California. George had teaching and school administrative jobs while he got his PhD. Jeanne and George had a second son, Tom (born October 20, 1945) and daughter Maryly (born October 8, 1948).

In 1952 Jeanne and George and family moved to Sacramento, where George worked with the State Department of Education and then American River Junior College and finally the Los Rios Community College District. Jeanne was active in the Junior League and in 1958 served as chairperson of their principal fundraising event, the Follies.

Once her children were grown, Jeanne taught the 4th grade at Albert Schweitzer Elementary School in Carmichael starting in the 60s and continuing into the 80s. Jeanne was also an active volunteer for the Food Closet operated by the River City Community Services.

After their retirements, Jeanne and George traveled the world extensively. Her daughter Maryly, her sons Jeep and Tom, ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren survive Jeanne. She is remembered and loved for her wit, lively spirit and love of life. She was devoted to her large family who miss her with all their hearts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:Canine Companions for Independence, 124 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057, Attention: Chuck Contreras - in memory of Jeanne Rice.

A reception will be held in memory of Jeanne at the Del Paso Country Club from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 3333 Marconi Avenue in Sacramento.