Lois M. Griggs Rice

You can only have one mother that is patient, kind, and true. No other friend in all the world, will be the same to you. When other friends forsake you, your mother will return. For all her loving kindness, she asks nothing in return

To Lois M. Rice, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Lois, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Lois really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Lois was born on March 29, 1928 at Hinsdale Hospital in Hinsdale, Illinois. Her parents were Melvin and Bertha Griggs, who raised Lois in Lisle, Illinois. Even as a child, Lois had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. She was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, she succeeded in entertaining her entire family.

Always a good playmate, Lois was easygoing and fun loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even during family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tenseful situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Lois managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Lois was raised with one sibling, an older sister Imogene.

All of Lois's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was gifted with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, Lois experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She took part in baseball, bicycle riding, and croquet. She was a Girl Scout. In her spare time she liked vegetable gardening with her parents. Lois's memorable achievements included that during grade school was the May Fetes celebration where Joan Florence and Lois were both May Queens.

Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Lois was a class “cut-up.” She didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Lois simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of her friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Lois, grades may not have been the most important thing to her, but she really did enjoy her school experience. Since experience was Lois's best teacher. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Lois graduated from Downers Grove High School in 1946. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Spanish,and her favorite teacher was Blanche Howland. She sang in the Girls' A Cappella choir, and was a member of Leaders Club, GAA Sports, and Spanish Club.

Lois never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Lois to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. She delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential spectators for her performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Lois was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. Lois utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Millie Andrzejewski, Ella Mae White, Joan Florence, Julie Hlady, Mary Paul, and Arlene Jennings. Later in life, she became friends with Opal Montague, Esther Kruger, Laura Kimes, Ruth Olek, and Joann Laman, and continued a life long relationship with Millie Andrzejewski. Lois loved sharing life with people she knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Lois very easy to approach. On February 11, 1950 Lois exchanged wedding vows with the love of her life, L. Dale Rice at the First Congregational Church of Lisle, Illinois. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Perhaps the reason Lois related so well to children was the fact that she never really completely grew up herself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped her in raising her own children. Lois and Dale were blessed with five children: Patti, Pam, Penni, Paula, and Melvin. They were also blessed with four grandchildren: Kim, Lester, Valerie, and Kevin. Lois had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Lois' compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, and she could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. She could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Lois had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Lois was a real “people person. ” she had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Lois liked to see herself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Lois was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Lois' talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Lois as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was as a dictaphone operator for the Burlington Northern Railroad. She was employed for 10 years. After the railroad, Lois began an exemplary career as a homemaker. This career lasted for the rest of her life.

Lois enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Lois liked creating and making things. Her favorite pursuits were bowling, watching sports (especially her beloved "Cubs"), knitting, and baking. Lois was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Lois felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if she wasn’t the best, Lois loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Lois relished the opportunities where she could make an impact, and she would often push herself to play above her abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Lois never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Lois played baseball, volleyball, and soccer. She also enjoyed bow and arrows. Later in life, recreational sports included bowling. Lois was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were her Chicago Cubs, the Bears, the Bulls and the Blackhawks (can you tell she's from Chicago?). Lois also liked to watch professional bowling.

Lois had an endless appetite for new and different activities. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, Lois' service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged. In high school, Lois was a member of the GAA Sports and the Girls A Cappella Choir. Throughout her later years, Lois was an active member of the Lois Club, Ethel Marshall Home Extension, was a charter member of Lisle Heritage Society, and was active in the Lioness Club.

A generous person who often wore her heart on her sleeve, Lois often found herself involved in activities she deemed important. She was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made her a natural volunteer.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Lois recognized that her faith was important to her throughout her life. She was a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church of Lisle. During that time, she was a choir member, wedding planner, flower chairman, and Piano Player.

Naturally outgoing and generous, Lois was regularly doing things for others. For her, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though she never set out to gain individual recognition, Lois was given accolades for her many and varied accomplishments throughout her life. One of her most prestigious awards included the 600 Club in Bowling.

Living life in the fast lane suited Lois just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included her and Dale's 30 year wedding anniversary trip to Hawaii and 35 year wedding anniversary trip to the Holy Lands.

Lois was a lover of animals and cherished her pets, enjoying them almost as much as she enjoyed being around other people. One of Lois' favorites was when her kids were growing up. This was a Cocker Spaniel named Dolly. She was also fond of Paula's dog Jenny, a Norwegian Elk Hound, and Buffy, Hilda's Poodle. Lois had Dolly for 5 years, Jenny for 18 years, and Buffy for 4 years.

Lois passed away on April 10, 2010 at home of natural causes. She is survived by four daughters: Patti, Pam, Penni, and Paula.

Visitation Friday April 16, 2010 from 3-8 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave. (On Rt 53, 1/2 mile south of Ogden Ave./Rt 34) Lisle. Illinois, Lying in state at the First Congregational Church of Lisle, 1006 Ogden Ave., Lisle on Saturday April 17, 2010 from 1:30 pm until time of funeral service at 2:00 p.m.. Lois was laid to rest next to her dear husband in Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

Lois brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Lois M. Rice lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.

As we look upon her picture, the sweet memories we recall, her face so full of sunshine, and a smile for one and all. Sweet Jesus, take this message, to our dear mother up above. Tell her how much we miss her and share with her our love.

Lois M. Rice, nee Griggs; age 82, of Lisle; Beloved wife of the late L. Dale Rice; loving mother of Patricia (Lester) Hambel, Pamela Rodkey, Penni Spryszak, Paula (Robert) Orsula, and the late Melvin Dale Rice; proud grandmother of Kim Rodkey, Lester Hambel, Valerie Osborne, Kevin Hambel; great-grandmother of many. Visitation Friday, April 16, 2010 from 3-8 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt. 34). Lying in state Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 1:30 pm until time of funeral service at 2:00 pm at the First Congregational Church, 1006 Ogden Ave., Lisle. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. For info call the funeral home at 630-964-9392.