Irene Rice
Sydney Mines
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear Mother Irene Rice (nee Butts) at the age of 90. She passed at home in her sleep as family kept vigil during the evening on Thursday, 20 February, 2020. Ma was born in Florence, NS on 12 August 1929 to the late James and Mary Ester Butts (nee Gear) and was the loving wife of the late Albert Vincent Rice for over 71 years.
Irene and Albert built a strong and independent family that she was extremely proud of and gathered many wonderful friends throughout Cape Breton and everywhere they travelled. She possessed an adventurous spirit and would take on any challenge with a sense of pride and purpose. Ma was a hardworking Mother and the glue that held a very large family close together for over seventy years. The true joy in Ma’s heart was her nine children and a large contingent of grandchildren, and great grandchildren spread out across Canada. Ma loved to swim and to her it wasn’t swimming unless she couldn’t see land or touch bottom. She enjoyed years of camping and Sunday family gatherings outdoors. Nothing gave Ma more pleasure than having her family seated around the table for a dinner, the laughter and chatter was music to her ears.
She was remarkable in her compassion and thoughtful generosity towards others, always having room in her heart and a picture on her fridge of a child she was sponsoring in far off lands. Ma enjoyed her weekly gathering with her friends as a member of TOPS and the group that continued on, as well as the Anglican Woman’s Committee that she enjoyed so much.
Irene is survived by her nine children, Albert (Vonda), James (Bud)(Sandra), Walter (Colleen), Lily (Rick Tomanek), Dianne MacPherson, Ester (Steve Woods), Gale (Roy Williams), Rubyann (Denis Filion) and Darlene (Steve Haggett). She is also survived by sisters Ada (Rocky) Manzuk and Ester Tremblett.
Along with her parents and husband, Ma was also predeceased by brothers James and Ernie, sisters Lily, Violet, Doraella, Janie, Ruby, Alice, Gertie and Doris.
Irene (Ma) will be remembered with great love in the hearts of all who knew her.
Visitation for Irene Rice will take place Monday, February 24, 2020, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm in J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday at 11am at Trinity Anglican Church, Queen St, Sydney Mines, with Rev. Jackie Warren officiating.
A very sincere thank you to the wonderful caring people at Northside Home Care, VON, Palliative Care, Dr. Kholsmith and Dr Abboud. Also, a special thank you to Betty Smith who we consider a part of our family. She attended to our Ma with loving care and devotion.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Palliative Care Unit, Sydney Regional Hospital. Words of comfort may be forwarded to her family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com
When the first star glimmers in the darkening sky,
We remember a heart of love and a life gone by.
Our Ma.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Irene Butts Rice 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney-Mines, Province: Nova Scotia