Lorraine Julia Rice

1946 - 2024

Oakdale - Lorraine Julia Rice, 78, died peacefully Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, surrounded by her loving family at William W. Backus Hospital. Lorraine was born July 4, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pa., to John and Lillian (Barnes) Gavaletz, and later moved to Waterford. On May 9,1964, Lorraine married her high school sweetheart, Russell W. Rice, to whom she was married for over 50 years, until he predeceased her Jan. 26, 2016.

Throughout her life, Lorraine worked as a waitress at the Chart Room restaurant in New London, a seamstress for Archie Sevilla in Niantic, a bookkeeper for Modern Electric in New London, a co-owner and bookkeeper for Russell Rice Contracting in Montville, and volunteered a great deal of her time as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, and school PTO leader. Lorraine loved animals and took in and cared for several who ventured into her home. She enjoyed raising kittens, puppies, chickens, ducks, hamsters, gerbils, bunnies, pigs, birds, horses and ponies. Lorraine was a woman of many talents, and she enjoyed creating works of art from all mediums and her drawings and paintings demonstrated her wonderful talent. She also enjoyed gardening, making crafts, crocheting, knitting, baking and cooking for her friends and family. Lorraine loved to have Sunday dinners with family and friends and hosted many neighborhood parties and picnics for all to enjoy at her home. There was no end to the things she would do for her family and friends.

Lorraine was a caring and devoted wife, a loving mother, a beloved grandmother, an amazing sister, a dedicated daughter and granddaughter, a wonderful aunt and cousin, a thoughtful sister-in-law, and a true friend to many.

Lorraine is survived by her three children, her eldest son Russell W. Rice Jr. and wife Debi of Bozrah, her daughter Sabrina L. Rogers of Ocala, Fla., and her youngest son John H. Rice and husband Seth Handyside of Pawcatuck; grandchildren: Stephen Rogers, Samantha Rogers, Tyler Willadsen, Dylan Willadsen and Ethan Rice; her two sisters, Shirley Mitsko and Joan Gaynor; sisters-in-law, April Mascolino, Melody Rice-Murchison and Lynnette Rice; as well as several nieces and nephews; many friends that were considered family; and her beloved cat, Baby Girl aka "Baby Terror."

A celebration of Lorraine's life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Montville Polish Club, 85 Maple Avenue, to include a buffet dinner. Donations in Lorraine's memory can be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, Quaker Hill, CT or to the charity of the donor's choice. 136