Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Joseph P. Rice, dear mother of 9: Theresa Clark, Joe (Dee) Rice, Maureen Wrobel, Bill (Lori) Rice, Joan (Jim) Schwarz, Tom (Anna) Rice, Peggy (Bill) Seliga, Nancy McCafferty and Ellen Sippel. She is preceded in death by son-in-law, Mike McCafferty; her brother, William Kahrhoff; as well as her parents, William and Grace Kahrhoff. Dearest Nanny of Sarah (Tommy), Kevin (Jamie), Catherine (Colin), and Colleen (Chad) Clark; Kelly (Matt), Joey (Carrie), Tracy, and Jeff (Alex) Rice; Ann (Mike) and Megan (Travis) Wrobel; Michelle (Todd) and Billy Rice; Chris (Christine) and Matt Schwarz; Jamie (Pat) and Erin (John) Rice; Nick (Nicole), Julie (Clark), and Jack Seliga; Mike (Mal) and Tom (Carrie) McCafferty; Tim (Aurora), Ben, Sam, and Rose Sippel. Nanny Grape to 32 and Nanny Great-Great to 1. Dearest sister and best friend to Mary Ellen (Jim) Tucker and Dan (Barb) Kahrhoff. Dear aunt, cousin, and friend to many.
Above all else, her legacy will be abounding love.
She loved the Lord & Catholic Church, and dedicated her life to celebrating her faith & raising her family to do the same. From her time as the president of The Legion of Mary to the many years as a volunteer feeding the less fortunate, she LIVED her love of God.
She spent her life cultivating a marriage that exuded love. Love for each other, love for their family, their Irish heritage, travel, adventure, golf, Norte Dame football, parties, a nightly highball, & a myriad of other joys. The love that she & Joe shared was one for the record books & a cherished example for the next generations to strive for.
She loved the damn St. Louis Cardinals. Sometimes they let her down, sometimes they lifted her up, but she loved them through & through. (However, they are the only birds that make the list, though- if you know, you know.)
She really just had a love of life – all of it. Her people, the parties, crazy family vacations, holiday celebrations, new babies (they just keep coming), days at the casino, years in her bowling league (right up until she was 94!), shopping, dancing, American Honey, Hallmark movies & so many other threads that created this fabric of her life.
She. Was. Love. She created a legacy that everyone who is fortunate enough to be a part of is SO grateful for. She will be missed more than she ever could have known, but the love that she shared is a gift that will live on for generations to come. The world is truly a better place because she was in it.
In lieu of flowers, masses preferred; or, donations can be made to the Immaculate Conception’s St. Vincent de Paul Society. Visitation is Wednesday; November 17, 2021 from 4-8pm at Kutis Funeral Home: 10151 Gravois Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123. Mass will be at 9:30am on Thursday; November 18, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church: 411 Palmer Rd., Columbia, IL 62236. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. And as she signed every note, may we all “keep the faith!”
May all those cherished memories you have of Mary sustain you now and going forward. She sounds like she was a fun loving god fearing lady. Bless you all.
To the Rice bunch, I am very sorry for your loss. Your Mom was so kind. Your Mom was an amazing women, just look at her children.Your Dad, Mom and of course Ellen helped me start a new life in Colorado. I will never forget the generosity of your Mom, Dad and all of you. On a lighter note, I play Keno when I go to the casino because of your Mom. Whenever I go and play Keno from now on, I will hope she is playing next to me and maybe I will finally win. Love you guys.
Keep the Faith! Chris Sutton (Curtin)
Mary was an amazing lady with a beautiful family. Remember the good vacation times at Lake of The Ozarks with Pat and JackRice. May the soles of the faithful departed. Thru the mercy of God Rest In Peace Amen.
My deepest sympathy to all the family. I only knew Mary through bowling, but knew she was the heart of the family! Such a kind person❤️ . May she and your brother Joe all Rest In Peace.
Bill Rice and family – I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and may she rest in peace. From, Tara Swyres (Bill Rice’s coworker)
I have known the Rice family most of my junior years. We knew Mary as DORIS. There must be a story there. Doris and my mother, Shirley Kenney, were life long best friends. So our families intertwined often. Doris was energetic and always had great stories about adventures she and Shirley would take or dream . Recently, I was in St. Louis and had a breakfast lined up; but she fell sick. I’ll never forget her smile and twinkle in her eyes as she told stories. My prayers and the Kenney family will pray for her soul and the Rice family.
Joe, Dee and family, I am so sorry for your loss.
Wow! Beautiful tribute to an amazing woman!
I have prayers and love for you entire family
(I felt like you are family-for so many reasons)
Prayers!
My Mom and Doris were good friends and went on some adventures when they were in high school and after graduation. Mom (Shirley Kenney) and Doris loved the warm weather and Mom would get so jealous of Doris because she got so tan and my Mom got sunburned. I loved seeing them together in later years because they would laugh and giggle like high school girls re-telling old stories and remembering times past. For my parents “big” wedding anniversary they along with other family went on a cruise together and had a great time. Doris will be remembered in our family and we offer our prayers from the “Kenney’s” to all of you.
Deepest sympathy to the Rice family!!
Mark & Kathy Fraraccio
This beautiful eulogy brought tears to my eyes and memories of my own dear Mother, gone 15 years now. Your family is so blessed to have had this amazing soul for so long and I am so sorry you lost her. Prayers for all, that they may have even half of her attributes and joie de vivre!
Dear Theresa, I remember your mom on trips from nursing school. She was funny, very easy-going, and feeding us. She reminded me of my Irish mom. I know we haven’t communicated for a long time, but how nice your mom had a long life. Take care, Jane