Ruth Nebiker Rice

Ruth Nebiker Rice born Dec 25, 1931, passed into God's arms to be with the love of her life Tom and daughter Chrissy on March 23, 2012. Ruth grew up in a music family and for 32 years loved the kids she taught from her first years in Bourne on the Cape to her retirement 32 years later in Longmeadow Mass. Ruth touched many people in her life through her music, both teaching and with her beautiful voice. A member of Bourne United Methodist Church since moving to Cape Cod in 1994 after retiring with husband Tom, who passed away in 2008, she woke every day to make the church a better place.

Ruth was born in Boston, Mass to parents T. Robert and Marie Nebiker, educated at Girls Latin School and received a BS in Education from State Teacher's College at Boston. Her love of music came as a teenager and was awarded opportunities to sing with renowned composer E. Power Biggs and with the Worcester, Hartford and New Bedford Symphony Choruses. Ruth was the Alto soloist for 20 years at First Church of Christ in Longmeadow Mass and then Bourne United Methodist Church after moving to Buzzards Bay.

Ruth met husband Thomas on Cape Cod while teaching 4th grade in Bourne in 1953, while on a blind date which led to marriage in June of 1957 and 50 years of marriage until Tom's death in April of 2008. During their marriage Tom's position with Friendly Ice Cream took her to many spots around southern New England finally retiring after 22 years at Williams Middle School in Longmeadow, Mass.

Ruth was preceded in death by husband Tom, her best friend and daughter Christine. She is survived by son Robert and his wife Eileen of Tallahassee Fl, and 3 grandchildren Justin Kyle Rice, Matthew Thomas Rice and Meghan Christine Rice. Ruth is also survived by her niece Earlene M. Bowen of Florida.

A service celebrating Ruth's wonderful life is being held Saturday May 12, 2012 at Bourne United Methodist Church at 11:00. All who knew her are welcome to come and share their memories. Ruth chose to be cremated and was interned with Tom at the National Cemetery on Cape Cod on Tom's birthday April 2, 2012.