Betty M. Rice

Betty Merrill Rice, 95, of Ithaca, NY,  passed away on October 21, 2016, at Oak Hill Manor in Ithaca.

Betty was born to D. Roy Merrill and Lottie Dumond Merrill on September 24, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan.  She graduated from Central High School in Detroit in 1939 and received her BA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 1943.  She married the Rev. Norman S. Rice in 1946 and moved with him to New Jersey in 1954, where they raised their four children.

A resident of Ithaca since 1980, Betty was a faithful parishioner of St. John’s Episcopal Church.  She volunteered with their “Loaves and Fishes” program and was a member of their women’s group for many years.  For three years, she volunteered at Tompkins County Hospital.  At home, she loved to read and work crossword puzzles.  For the last three years, she resided at Oak Hill Manor in Ithaca.

Betty was predeceased by her parents and two brothers, Jack and Rob Merrill; also, her husband Norman in May of 1980.  She is survived by her sons, Francis Y. (Sally Scatton) and Peter M., both of Trumansburg; daughters Cathy (Mark) Beebe of Mattawamkeag, ME, and Laura (Matty) Matarazzo of Belvidere, NJ; also eight grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and eleven step-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ithaca, NY, on Tuesday, November 1, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Barb Schmitz officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. John’s Memorial Fund, or to the charity of your choice.