Lillian "Polly" (Stott) Rice

Lillian "Polly" (Stott) Rice died peacefully of age related complications surrounded by her family on August 28, 2019. She was 89. Lillian, "Lilli" or "Polly" as she was known to her family and friends, was born February 22, 1930 in Washington, DC to Charles and Isabella Stott. Polly grew up in Washington where she attended National Cathedral School. While growing up, Polly frequently spent summers with her family in Orleans on Cape Cod where she enjoyed being active at the Arena Theater, playing tennis, and beaching it at Nauset. In 1951 she graduated from Simmons College with a degree in Journalism. Shortly thereafter, she was married to James H. Rice and they moved to Duxbury, MA and then in 1957, to Orleans. Polly was active in civic and church affairs. She spent many years on the vestry at Church of the Holy Spirit, served on the Orleans School Committee, and was instrumental in bringing the first Head Start program to Cape Cod as well as the Cape's initial participation in the annual PBS Channel 2 Auction. Polly spent many years as Legislative Aid to State Rep. Howard C. "Rick" Cahoon Jr. on Beacon Hill. She also worked many years as Office Manager for Lower Cape Human Services and was very active as a volunteer for the Cape chapter of National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Throughout her life, Polly always made it a point to help others in need, whether individuals or organizations, however she could. Her volunteerism, generosity and hard work helped improve the lives of many people and organizations. Polly loved to read and was gifted with artistic talent, from drawing and painting, to writing and music. Her creativity was abundant. Polly is survived by her daughter Jamie Chalker and her husband Don of Chatham, and her son Peter and his wife Amy of Brewster. She was predeceased by her son Jonathan of Orleans. She is also survived by her sister, Lucy Ann Niven of Baltimore, MD. Polly is also survived by 6 granddaughters, Parker Rice, Briannah Rice, Amy Chalker, Melanie Siciak and her husband Jarred, Ally Rice, and Kaitlin Rice. Calling hours will be held from 4-7pm on September 6, 2019 at Nickerson Funeral Home in Chatham. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on September 7, 2019 at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Chatham. In lieu of flowers, donations in Polly's memory may be made to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Cape Cod at 5 Mark Lane #3, Hyannis, MA 02601. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.