Margaret A. Rice

Margaret A. Rice, 86, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2024 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. Margaret was born September 18, 1938, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Albert and Helen (Connelly) Wendt. She was a 1956 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. In 1959, Margaret was united in marriage to David Rice at the Parchment Community Center. Immediately after graduation, she went to work for IBM as a secretary. A couple of years later, she began her career as a legal assistant and paralegal for the Law Office of Harry Contos, Jr., where she was employed for 33 years, until her retirement in 1991. Margaret spent her retirement years busier than ever. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother and served her community in many different capacities. She volunteered her time at the Discovery Shop, the American Cancer Society and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She helped friends and neighbors by driving them to appointments and was very involved in helping raise her grandchildren. She was known as “Grandma Rice” to many of the kids in the community, as she was a familiar presence at Parchment football games working in the concession stand and hosting team dinners for the players. She kept a busy social calendar by meeting up with the Red Hat Ladies once a month, keeping in touch with her class of ’56 classmates throughout the years and recently attended their 68th class reunion. Margaret was a true animal lover, contributing to many animal organizations, rescuing and fostering countless dogs over the years, and even taking a trip to Utah to volunteer with the Best Friends Animal Society. Keeping as busy as she did, Margaret didn’t have much down time, but she enjoyed watching Jeopardy every night and doing puzzles to keep her mind sharp. Margaret and David were long time members of Centerpoint Church in Kalamazoo, and most recently were attending Discovery Church in Parchment. Her quick wit and dry sense of humor along with her selfless and charitable nature will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 65 years, David Rice; three children, Kevin (Mary) Rice, Karie Rice, and Dr. Jodie (Marc) Johnson; three grandchildren, Ryan David (Gabriela Lara) Rice, Cody Whitaker, and Aaron (Kellie Mussell) Rice; one great grandchild, Axel Rice; and one sister, Mary DeYoung. She was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Barbara Sprau and James Wendt.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held from 3 – 6 PM on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Discovery Church, 2772 Roosevelt Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49004. For those wishing to honor Margaret’s life by making a memorial contribution, the family suggests Discovery Church or the SPCA of Southwest Michigan.