Mrs. Rita Rice

THE death of Mrs. Rita Rice, of 4 Isabella Way, Ardglass, on March 4 has been widely mourned. She was 86.

Mrs. Rice, who was a retired domestic supervisor at the Downshire Hospital, was a great servant to her community and a tireless and committed member of many local organisations.

Her interests included sewing, knitting, crochet, painting and passing on and sharing her life experiences.

She organised Knitting for Romania and raised funds for various charities, particularly cancer charities.

She enjoyed working with children and young people. She taught knitting and other crafts, and supported the weekly sessions of the local youth club.

She worked closely with the ‘Street Safe Group’, which does fantastic work in Ardglass. Members of the group formed a guard of honour at her funeral and their sadness, as with others young and old, was evident.

Mrs. Rice was also involved in starting Dunsford Arts and Crafts and, more recently, the Friendship Group in Ardglass.

A member of the local Women’s Institute and the Legion of Mary, she was a strong advocate of people working together, irrespective of religion, disability, age or status.

Requiem Mass in St. Nicholas’ Church, Ardglass, on March 7 was followed by interment in St. Macartan’s Churchyard, Loughinisland. Fr. G. McCluskey officiated. Among those attending was the Rev. G. Savidge, of the Lecale Group of Church of Ireland parishes.

Mrs. Rice is survived by her daughter, Anne, son-in-law Laurence, grandchildren Anne Marie, Terry, Paddy and Philomena, six great grandchildren and two sisters, Betty and Teresa.