RICE, Mary – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Patricia Rice, a nurse, stewardess, wife, but most importantly, mother. She was 86. Born to the late parents Milton and Theresa Moss, sister to Gerry, and predeceased by siblings Jack, Monica, and Pauline. Mary met the love of her life, her late husband Bill Rice, when she was a nurse and needed a lift back to her family home in Brantford. He offered to fly her there for weekend visits. They married and during their 58 years together Bill and Mary raised seven children: Anne Marie Brode (married to Kerry, with children Shannon and Ted), Rose Mitchell-Davies (with partner Doug McConkey and children Ryan and Liz), Maureen, Bernie (married to Tracy, with children Danielle and Jacob), Phil, Vince and Loretta (with children Dylan and Claire). Extended family Peter and Charlene Mitchell, and Mary Pat Reansbury. Nine great grandchildren are also in the mix. As a mother, she instituted Fridays as Family Night, which might include a competitive game of marbles or Euchre. Nearly every night, she’d read the boys a chapter from a Hardy Boys novel, or Nancy Drew for the girls. Her patience with her husband’s airplane hobby was boundless. Raised a city girl, she moved out to a farm near London so he could have enough space for a runway and ample workshops. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was an active member in the Catholic Church. A firm believer that if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all, she preferred to sing, serving as a constant, consistent example to others about following your dreams, caring about others, greeting everyone with kindness and always being humble. The world is a better place because of her, and even her passing can’t dampen the legacy of caring and compassion she instilled in everyone she met. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at St. Michaels Church, 511 Cheapside St., London on Saturday, November 25th at 9:30 a.m. until the Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to HARRIS FUNERAL HOME (519) 433-7253. In kindness, memorial donations can be made to St. Michael’s Church or the charity of your choice.