Obituary of Evangeline C. Rice

Evangeline "Ange" Rice, 93 of Petoskey, died January 21, 2008 at Bay Bluffs Care Facility in Harbor Springs. Funeral services will be held 10:30am, Friday, January 25 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Petoskey. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 6-8pm at the Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, OH. Ange was born on April 10, 1914 in McKee's Rock, PA, the daughter of Vincenzo and Anna Maria Cuccaro. She moved with her family at Akron, OH where she lived until 1947. She married Bert Rice who was killed at 29 as a result of an explosion from a South Akron rubber plant on Christmas Eve, 1941. She was left eight months pregnant with 2 toddlers at home. Three years later she married William F. Rice, moving to Elmira, NY in 1947, and living there until moving to Petoskey, MI in 1996. William preceded her in death on July 7, 1964. She is survived by her brother, Roland Cookro of Wadsworth, OH; 3 daughters, Marjorie (Roderick) Bailey, Rosemary Hackett, and Judith (John) Hoffman, twelve grandchildren, Kathleen Zirpola, Linda (Jim) Martynkiewicz, Lisa (Edward) Drouse, David (Jackie) Bailey, Jeffery Hackett, Tony(Tina) Hackett, Michael (Lanette) Hoffinan, Mark (Mary) Hoffman, Dominic (Liz Crawford) Hoffman, and Scott Hoffman; as well as many nieces and nephews. Ange is an inspiration and role model for all those who knew her. She followed in the foot steps of her beautiful little Italian immigrant mom, Anna Maria, who raised her large family almost single handedly. Their faith was what gave them strength. Both attended daily Mass for a large part of their lives. Ange raised her family steeped in loving family traditions, intertwining a deep sense of spirituality, encompassing love of God, family, neighbors, and country. Ange had to work to help support the family. She gained the respect and was greatly valued by all those she worked with. Her position was Administrative Assistant to the Director of Chemung County Mental Health Department of Elmira, NY. The Director spoke of her calming effect on both patient and staff. Two people were needed to replace her when she retired. Ange was also very active in her parish if St. Patrick. She was a Secular Carmelite , a leader of prayer groups, held diocesan offices in the Legion of Mary, a Christian outreach organization devoted to helping those estranged from the church, visiting the sick, assisting those in need. She organized spiritual retreats and pilgrimages, worked on an Indian Reservation in the West, sponsored RICA candidates, even provided a home for short periods for those in need, among them an unwed mother. When she could no longer live by herself, she moved to Petoskey to live with her daughter, Judy's', family. Here she continued her work as best she could, attending church and community functions, working with the Marian Center, writing to political persons, including the President, etc, and campaigning for those whose values she held so dear. She was very devoted to the Right to Life. She expressed "I can't do much, but I can still do my best to make our country better for my grandchildren". Even at Bay Bluffs she continued to comfort the hurting - patting their arms as she passed uttering words of encouragement. She would say "thank You" to the care givers, and Father Joe at Mass, even when speech was very difficult, then just a pat on the cheek, then with her eyes. We are happy to celebrate the life of this beautiful gift and her eternal happiness in heaven. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the scholarship fund of St. Francis Xavier School at 5131 Howard Street, Petoskey, MI 49770.