Miriam Rita Dwyer Rice

Miriam Rita “Mickey” Rice, 89, of Wichita Falls died Monday, December 19, 2011 at a local hospital. Services have been scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church officiated by Father Sojan George. Interment will follow at Crestview Memorial Park.

Mickey was born September 15, 1922 in New Orleans, LA to Michael P. and Mathilda (Epling) Dwyer. December 15, 1947 she married William C. Rice in Okinawa, Japan and together they raised four children. She was active in her church where she sang in the choir, as well as a past member of the Midwestern State University Oratory Choir. She was a past member of the Officers’ Wives’ Club. She loved opera and gardening, crocheting, knitting, and dancing. Her life was centered on her family and she loved cooking for their many gatherings.

Mrs. Rice is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Maj. (Ret.) William C. Rice; and her parents, Michael and Mathilda Dwyer.

Survivors include her four devoted children and their spouses, Kathleen and Tom Forister of Wichita Falls and children Michael, Marla, Daniel O’Brien; Deborah and Rico Petrini of Loomis, CA and children Rico Petrini, Diedra Jinks; Gail and David Whittiker of Wichita Falls and children Brian McCormick, Jennifer Briscoe, Joshua and Michelle Whittiker; William C. and Julie Rice of Wichita Falls and children Kayleigh, Kara, Kyle Rice, Loren and Ryan McDonald; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home.

If desired, memorials may be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Humane Society of Wichita Falls, or Wichita Falls Food Bank.

Please share your condolences and fond memories with the Rice family at www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com.