Esmeralda Rice

Esmeralda Rice passed at Cedar Mountain Rehabilitation Center on September 1, 2025 while in Hospice Palliative Care after 16 months of struggling from a hemorrhagic brain stroke in May 2024 while on a cruise to Iceland. The ship was 2 days from port, too far for any necessary medical intervention. Upon docking, she was immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance for brain surgery. Due to the time expired, there was major damage and she remained in a coma for 3 months, then only silent communication with her eyes or a squeeze from her hand. Through her multiple fevers, infections, bouts of pneumonia, then kidney problems, led to the family decision of Hospice. Esmeralda was in agreement with this as expressed by her husband Craig Rice.

Esmeralda was born on May 31, 1954 in Elsa, Texas. Her parents relocated the family to Bensenville, Illinois, as her father had a work opportunity and Esmeralda began her school education there, graduating from Fenton Hugh School in Bensenville, Illinois; June 1972. She immediately went to work at Holiday Inn in Itasca, Illinois as a housekeeper alongside her mother; quickly achieving the position of front office desk clerk, then becoming a Catering Secretary to the manager of events. This is where she met her husband Craig, Executive Chef of Holiday Inn. Craig invited her to go with him to a wedding which was their first date. It was that unusual Prince Charming and Princess that fall in love immediately at first glance and discover each is meant for the other throughout life. They were married the same year September 25, 1976 at Saint Raymond Catholic Church in Mount Prospect, Illinois. September 25, 2025 would be 49 years of marriage. They moved to California in 1978 as a job relocation.

Surviving husband, Craig Rice, children Renee Rice (Melao), Tina Rice (Perez) and Craig A. Rice and Wife Nicole. She has two grandsons, Wyatt Melao (8) and Maximus Perez (4). Her surviving siblings are Stella George, Armando Palacios, Maria McGoldrick, Elvia Palacios, and Lydia Lambrecht.

She got a part time job with Amtrak. It was an was an extreme challenge of high stress yet she excelled and worked from 1998 – 2016 when she retired. She also received a train pass for herself and all members of her family; they enjoyed many trips together.

Esmeralda’s greatest legacy was her stern faith and belief in God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; the mystical trinity. She professed and lived this faith daily through her spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings and friends. She was devoted to the Holy Family; Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Divine Mercy and the family was blessed to experience her purity in faith in the Lord as Esmeralda was a valiant prayer warrior.

A visitation for Esmeralda will be held Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Montecito's Cypress Chapel, 24145 Barton Road, Loma Linda, CA 92354. A funeral mass will occur Monday, September 15, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at All Souls Mausoleum, 3510 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324. A committal service will occur Monday, September 15, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, 3510 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324. A reception to follow will occur at Montecito's Valley View Reception Room, 3520 E. Washington Street, Colton, CA 92324.