Joan Barbara Rice

Joan Barbara (Brown) Rice, 86, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher, friend, neighbor, joined the Heavenly choir on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. She was lovingly cared for by the staff at Windsong at Eola Hills, Traditions Hospice, and her daughter. Alzheimer’s had Joan searching for her mother and father for several years, and we are so happy she has at last been reunited.

Joan Brown was born May 14, 1934, in Boise, Idaho, to Elsie and William Brown, of Meridian. The Browns owned Elite Dry Cleaners, and Joan would often help at the shop after school. Her job was to empty pockets, where she was allowed to keep the coins she found! I am sure they were spent on comic books and candy.

Joan attended public school, where she excelled, graduating valedictorian from Meridian High School in 1952. She played clarinet in the band and was in several plays. Joan studied piano and loved reading comic books and Nancy Drew mysteries.

Furthering her education at the College of Idaho, after two years, Joan began teaching. She received her bachelors degree in education in 1962. Mrs. Rice taught mostly 2nd grade for 42 years, teaching over 1,000 students! Mrs. Rice taught in Boise, Hayward, Pocatello, Redmond, and Beaverton. In Pocatello, her position was at the Lorene Hendricks Lab School, on the Idaho State University campus, where she taught 2nd grade, as well as many college students preparing to teach. She retired from Rock Creek Elementary in 1996, after 20 years there.

After meeting at church, Phillip Rice became her best friend. They married on August 21, 1955, at Boise Friends Church. Their daughter, Christine, was born October 1957. Joan and Phil were active with church, the Boise Lions Club, Miss Idaho pageants, and local pageants in Oregon. Chaperoning for Miss Idaho and judging at local pageants had them traveling throughout the state, twice to Atlantic City. They had just returned from a trip to Branson, and a nearby UFO conference in May 1997, when Phil died suddenly. Her Christmas letter that year referenced a thought from E. M. Forster, we must be willing to give up the life we’ve planned for the one God has waiting for us.

Singing was such a part of Joan, having been in church choir, The Charbonneau Singers, and Just for Fun Singers. Joan continued to be active with Alpha Delta Kappa, her teachers’ sorority and Tigard Friends Church where Bible study and teaching Sunday School was so meaningful to her. Joan traveled with family on cruises, and with her daughter to 5 national music conferences throughout the US. Shopping, gardening, tutoring, reading, puzzles, game night, and singing were favorite pastimes. Animals were drawn to her. She always had a dog or cat to love.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Elsie and William Brown, her brother, Earl Brown, and her husband, Phil Rice. She is survived by a sister, Lola Hollis, a daughter, Christine Sinibaldi, and son-in-law

John, of Salem, four grandchildren, Danielle Ratliff, Cory, Adrian, and Dominic Sinibaldi, 5 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Contributions may be made to Tigard Friends Church.