Mary Sue Rice, born February 20th, 1944, in Longmont Colorado, passed away Thursday, February 29th at the age of 80 in Berthoud Colorado. Mary Sue was a loving wife, mother, sister, grand and great-grandmother, and a friend to all. Mary Sue was predeceased by her mother, Elva Loomis Fleming, her father George Shives Fleming, and her younger brother David Loomis Fleming.
Mary Sue is survived by her husband of 33 years Eric, her daughters Susan Zaske (Jeff) and Alyson Elliott (David), four grandchildren, Alysha Ridl (Rusty), Jasmine Elliott, Matt Zaske (Laura) and Aubri Elliott. Four great-grandchildren, Emaly Ridl, Betty Ridl, Jayci Ridl, and Catherine Zaske. She is also survived by her brother Steve Fleming (Susanne). Mary Sue was also ‘Ampie M’ or simply ‘Amp’ to Steve’s children Shannon Modec (Eddie) and Mark Fleming (Stephanie) and Mark’s daughter Maggie Fleming and son Brooks Fleming, as well as to Steve’s wife Susanne’s children Brittany Pitzer (Eli), Josh Lewis, Danielle Lewis and Brittany’s two daughters Amariah Pitzer and Avonleigh Pitzer.
On Eric’s side, she was a daughter-in-law to Eric’s parents James and Elizabeth Rice and sister-in law to his six brothers, Scott Rice (Peggy), Steve Rice, Matt Rice (Mary), Mitch Rice, Bryan Rice (Katie) and Spencer Rice (Amy). She was a loving aunt to Shannon Rice, Victoria Dunn, Jacqueline Besteman (Jeff), Alex Rice, Katie Hubbard (Eric), Beth Rice, Sophie Rice, and Lily Rice.
Those who knew Mary Sue remember her positive outlook and her willingness to help anyone with anything, at any time. Mary Sue had a soft spot for animals. Always surrounded by her precious Labrador Retrievers, she leaves behind her two yellow labs Foster and Brody and her black lab Maverick. Mary Sue was also a friend to many a stray cat wherever she lived. Her kind heart and willingness to help were seen in everything she did throughout her life.
Mary Sue was born in Longmont Colorado and lived in Ohio during a portion of her childhood. Mary Sue returned to Colorado where she graduated high school, started her family and raised her daughters. Mary Sue also lived and worked in Tucson Arizona for a few years before moving back to Colorado for the last thirty-five plus years. When she returned to Colorado, she met and married Eric Rice, twenty-one years her junior. Despite the age difference, they defied all the odds and predictions, showing that true love overcomes any perception. Friends, family, and random acquaintances often marveled at the success of this unconventional match. It was always a conversation starter.
Mary Sue stayed in touch with her classmates from the Longmont High School Class of 1962. Helping organize with other classmates the reunions every five years. Mary Sue often spoke of how lucky she and her classmates were to have grown up when they did in Longmont and how strong the bond was between all of them. Regular luncheons with local classmates were often a highlight of her retired life. Reminiscing and staying in touch with these lifelong friends, many of whom she had known since early childhood.
Mary Sue had a variety of professions in her life, from office work at the Longmont Clinic and Martin Marietta to 22 years with IBM, retiring as a systems analyst. Quilting and crafting were both lifelong passions, leading to many more friendships and providing decades of joy. She loved nothing more than creating quilts and finding stuffed animals and books to send to her grandkids and later, great grandkids.
Mary Sue was also fortunate to travel the world with Eric. Both were avid cruisers. Mary Sue once said, she would never have believed a little ole’ girl from Longmont would have the opportunity to visit the Antarctic, go through the Panama Canal twice, sail across the Atlantic multiple times and see so many wonderful places our planet has to offer from Iceland and New Zealand to Argentina and Bali. She loved it all and was blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy it and share the experiences.
Most of all, Mary Sue will be remembered for her kind heart, winning personality, and overall outlook on life. A positiveness she passed on to everyone she met.
A memorial for Mary Sue will be held in late spring. We will notify friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, her family is asking that donations be made to the American Heart Association or to the Longmont Colorado Humane Society.
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