The reasons I don't know, except to say I'd give anything if this wasn't so.
It is a tragic loss for our family. For the world.
A close friend remarked to me that life is so difficult, she often is surprised more folks can make it.
But we all don't..Life is short.
I heard this as I taught today finding her obituary:
I spoke to Maria and had such a long, long talk about a year ago as she offered her care over my back surgery.Maria Ellen Rice - ERWIN
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.” Psalm 139:23
To all who knew her, Maria was a special gift from God. Her capacity for loving others and creative ability are not to be forgotten by those who love her.
ERWIN — Maria Ellen Rice, 34, beloved daughter of Eugene and Pauline McIntosh Rice, of Erwin, died in Knoxville, Tennessee, on January 16, 2011.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents of Flag Pond, Tennessee: Richard and Axie Fender McIntosh and Parley and Edith Pate Rice.
Maria is survived by three devoted brothers and their wives: Michael and Gail Rice, Erwin, Marvin and Belinda Rice, St. Louis, Missouri, and Alan Rice, Layton, Utah. Maria had two nieces and a nephew whom she adored: Hannah and Chloe Rice and David Alan Rice.
Surviving Maria are several aunts and uncles: Martha and Warren Ricker, Garland and Eunice McIntosh, Kenneth McIntosh, Howard and Vonda Lee McIntosh, Foy and Nancy McIntosh, Andy and Debbie McIntosh, Robert and Martha Rice, Mary Sue and Phillip Mashburn, Brenda and Jerry Bennett, and Ivan Rice. She had many wonderful cousins and a host of friends: teachers, relatives, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, and people she served in her employment.
Maria was a graduate of Unicoi County High School, East Tennessee State University and received her doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Tennessee at Memphis. She was employed as a pharmacist at Mercy Hospital in Knoxville (formerly known as St. Mary’s.) She was a member of Phi Delta Chi and Thi Lamba Sigma.
Maria’s shortened life was full of movement. At Unicoi County High School, she participated in many activities that included band, track and long distance running. Listening, we can still hear her lively piano melodies and see her works of art. She left us a collection of poetry and short stories. To her, our mountains summoned and she simply liked to walk in their beauty. Always a lover of flowers, she rejoiced in planting them and enjoyed their glorious array.
“As I pass under the pure diamond raindrops of winter’s last tree, I see a reflection of what I was meant to be. To become a part of something great yet still maintain my identity. Flowing through the undercurrents and floating — One base note slides, slides down to one raindrop of resonance and harmony.” Poem written by Maria Ellen Rice.
Funeral service will be held at 8:00 P.M. Thursday, January 20, 2011, from the Robert Ledford Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop John Edwards and Daniel McIntosh officiating.
Committal service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday at Evergreen Cemetery. Those planning to attend the committal service are requested to meet at the funeral home by 12:15 P.M. Friday to go in procession to the cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Daniel McIntosh, Bruce Mashburn, Kevin Mashburn, Drew McIntosh, Aaron McIntosh, Patrick McIntosh, Chris McIntosh and Robbie McIntosh. Honorary pallbearers will be Hannah Rice, Chloe Rice and David Alan Rice.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday preceding the services at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at rfledford@earthlink.net.
Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is in charge of the arrangements. 423-743-1380 or 423-928-4595
She was creative, sensitive, loved her flowers, loved her nieces, and nephew and cared for me too.
To say I'm overwhelmed is to understate it by miles.
I wish that
I knew your cousin. She was beautiful inside and out. So sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteShe was wonderful. If you want to communicate further I'm Sarah Puglisi at smpuglisi@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteI teach 1st grade and am in poor health. I'm also kicking myself for not going to be with my family.
Though I think Maria ...well...I know she understands this at least.
I am sorry for your loss as well, a beautiful caring person.
I also knew Maria. We went to high school together. I was saddened to read of her passing. She was such a beautiful, kind, and genuine person. My thoughts are with you and her family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this kindness.
ReplyDeleteI am so worried for the health and the stress on my Aunt Polly. Well on all the immediate family, of course.
Maria's grandmother might have been years ago someone I turned to in all of this to ask to make some sense of this, as I did for hardships we shared way back. She is gone now too and Axie...what on earth can we do to assuage our sadness? In one visit to our family grave site above the house as I walked up with Grandma she shared with me something. "Try not to hold anger, try to allow your heart to mend, try to seek reconciliations, ask those you feel that wronged you to talk with you, do all you can to turn anger to doing something worthwhile. " That was one of her thoughts. Another was more directly applicable to this, she simply was telling me about who she missed and had had to bury, her Mom for one, saying to me, "You don't get over some losses. But you have to live the best you can."
I still see her bent over one of the stones pulling weeds and making the effort to make it look better as she took me around. I think Maria was but a glimmer in the eye then.
I think of all of these deeply held family memories, and the depth of our last conversation-her utter compassion and caring for me. I imagine she was so very much loved and gave her heart to others....she sure did me.
I was not talking to someone holding anger with Maria, she was working tripletime on self reflection, understanding, forgiveness, perspective. And I will always think of her as having the capacity to hold for others difficult truths.
Let's hope Maria found peace and that she joins my grandparents, dear cousin Bruce who we lost as well to cancer, and that she is in a Heaven of violets, lilac, azaleas, dogwood, daffodils, lilies , the wild roses and all the blossoms I know she held so dear.
I am Rev. Winburn Davis. I live in Roberta, Georgia. I served as pastor of Flag Pond Baptist Church in the mid 1960's. Parley and Edith Rice, and their sons, Robert and Eugene were members of the church. I remember Gene and Pauline and their sons with great fondness, as well as Parley and Edith and Robert. I did not know Maria. I just learned of her death from Atlas Back from West Virginia. My heart is broken for the Gene Rice family.
ReplyDeleteOh, Reverend Davis I will pass along to Pauline and Gene your message and thoughts I am sure it will be meaningful to them. Maria was their youngest and my cousin through Aunt Polly-her brother was Kenneth McIntosh son of Richard and Axie.
ReplyDeleteJust tonight I was talking to my husband out here in California about just how much grieving I'm still doing over the loss of this beautiful girl. Maria was a lovely, lovely person who was so sensitive and caring. In a few short months she had a number of really hard blows and things just were ...it was too much for her. I miss her so much and I am so worried for my Aunt and Uncle and family. My thank you's for this note.
Sarah McIntosh Puglisi
I wish I had Gene and Pauline's telephone number to call and express my condolences personally. Email to wdavisga@aol.com
ReplyDelete