Geraldine Ann Rice

Geraldine “Gerry” Ann Rice of Stevensville, MD, peacefully passed away in her sleep at her home on Monday, Jan 16, 2023. She was 85. Gerry was born May 15, 1937, in Detroit, MI, the daughter of the late Raymond Blake and Sarah “Marguerite” (Russell) Blake. While working summers as a lifeguard, Gerry met and later married her late husband of 56 years, Merton “Mike” Rice. Two months before their marriage, Gerry enlisted in the Airforce and while Mike had served oversees in Korea, Gerry stayed stateside, stationed in Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. She was honorably discharged in 1959. With a desire to work on Capitol Hill, Gerry and Mike moved to Washington, DC, in the early 1960’s. Gerry worked for several senators and later went to work for the David Taylor Naval Research & Development Center (DTNRDC) as an administrative assistant and retired from there after many years of service. Gerry was recognized for her contributions and support of both the Senators she worked for and the Engineers at DTNRDC. She was very proud and honored to have been a part of serving our nation. After living in both Washington and Oxon Hill, MD, the family moved to the Eastern Shore living in Stevensville, MD, in 1980. An avid lover of all things sunshine and beachy, Gerry loved walks on the community beach and swimming in the Chesapeake Bay. She enjoyed gardening, cooking for family and friends, and having conversations with people. She was a friendly, caring, and selfless individual that could always make feel like you were the most important person around. Above all, she adored her children, their spouses, her grandchildren, her sister, and her nieces and nephews. She always spoke with deep love and pride in everything they accomplished and was deeply loved by them in return. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Marguerite Blake, and her husband, Mike Rice. She is survived by her son, Michael Rice and his wife Natalie of Stevensville, MD; daughter, Jenefer Russum and husband JR of Crumpton, MD; three grandchildren, Abby Marguerite Russum of Crumpton, MD, Wyatt Russum of Crumpton, MD, Connor Rice of Stevensville, MD; one sister, Mary Lou Burkhart; two nephews, Damon Burkhart and wife Amy of MI, Eric Burkhart and wife Becky; one niece, Suzanne Burkhart and partner Bill of MI; one grandniece, Chandler Arteaga and husband Carlos; and one great- grandnephew, Lucas Arteaga. A visitation will be held from 12-1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at Fellows Family Funeral Home, 370 Cypress St., Millington, MD. A time of sharing by the family and friends will begin at 1 p.m.

Geraldine Ann Rice

May 15, 1937 - January 16, 2023