Margaret Graham Rice, age 92, passed away peacefully at home on December 28, 2016. She was born in Bellingham, WA on February 1, 1924 to Robert and Margaret (Macaulay) Graham.
Margaret was a music major in college where she excelled in her music studies as an accomplished violinist. She was Concert Master and First Violin in her college orchestra. She met her first husband, Robert, while he was a student at USC. They were married in 1948 and had three children: Suzanne, Julie and Steve. She married her second husband Clyde Rice when she was 77 and he was 90. She always referred to Clyde as the “greatest love of her life”. They had six blissful married years together before he passed away at the age of 96.
Although Margaret did not pursue her music studies after college in a professional capacity, she continued to be intensely interested in music, arts and ballet. She was a frequent visitor to ballet performances at the Queen Elizabeth Theater in Vancouver, BC. She enjoyed traveling and was a longtime member of St. James Presbyterian Church. Margaret is fondly remembered as an elegant classy dresser who always wanted to look her best. She was charming and had a gregarious style, enjoying any new contacts that came her way from day to day.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Margaret’s longtime caregiver and close companion, Elaine Barker for her faithful care.
She was predeceased by former husband Robert Barrett, second husband Clyde Rice, grandson Jason Parker, sister Mary Ann Clark and brother Robert Graham. She is survived by her three children Suzanne (Scott) Gardner, Julie (Ted) Parker and Steve (Corinne) Barrett; grandchildren Kris (Jennifer) Parker, Bobby (Angela) Barrett, Chuck (Aimee) Barrett, and Kathy Barrett; great-grandson Harrison Parker; brother Norman Graham, and many loving relatives and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. James Presbyterian Church at 1 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2017 with a reception following. Memorials in Margaret’s name may be made to St. James Presbyterian Church.
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