CHESTER – Ethel G. (Sanderson) Rice, 96, (1919-2015) passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Born in North Oxford, MA on May 18, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Frank E. Sanderson and Laura B. (Stafford) Sanderson. She lived most of her life in Chester and was a graduate of Chester High School. She loved the outdoors and would point out wildflowers or songbirds to family and friends that accompanied her on walks in the woods. She maintained many flower gardens around her home which highlighted her yard as well as a vegetable garden that she looked forward to. A wide assortment of homemade crafts demonstrated her creative side, cooking and baking were also high on her list of talents with homemade bread, cakes or “scrumptious” pies always ready for company. She was a member of the United Church Mice where she participated in many church suppers and bazaars. She enjoyed quilting in addition to crocheting afghans, mittens, and scarves for family as well as countless sweaters and hats for infants donated through the Chester Golden Agers. Ethel was predeceased by her husband Mark N. Rice, Sr., who passed away in 1969. She leaves her son, Mark N. Rice, Jr. and his wife Margie of Chester, two sisters, Bernice E. Ford of Roscoe, NY and Lora J. Carrington of Chester; five grandchildren, John W. Regan of Chester, Donald H. Patterson III of Florida, Mark N. Rice III of Peru, Martha I. Rice of West Springfield, and Wilbur D. McCaul of Maine, and several great-grandchildren. She was also very fond of her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two daughters, Nancy M. Regan and Judith A. McCaul; four brothers, Earl, Elmer, Arthur and William Sanderson; two grandsons, Joseph and Jeffrey Regan and a great grandson. At her request there will be no calling hours and funeral services will be private with a celebration of Ethel’s life held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Chester Volunteer Fire Dept., 300 Rt. 20, Chester, MA 01011. O’Brien Hilltown Community Funeral Home in Huntington is in charge of the arrangements.
CHESTER – Ethel G. (Sanderson) Rice, 96, (1919-2015) passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Born in North Oxford, MA on May 18, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Frank E. Sanderson and Laura B. (Stafford) Sanderson. She lived most of her life in Chester and was a graduate of Chester High School. She loved the outdoors and would point out wildflowers or songbirds to family and friends that accompanied her on walks in the woods. She maintained many flower gardens around her home which highlighted her yard as well as a vegetable garden that she looked forward to. A wide assortment of homemade crafts demonstrated her creative side, cooking and baking were also high on her list of talents with homemade bread, cakes or “scrumptious” pies always ready for company. She was a member of the United Church Mice where she participated in many church suppers and bazaars. She enjoyed quilting in addition to crocheting afghans, mittens, and scarves for family as well as countless sweaters and hats for infants donated through the Chester Golden Agers. Ethel was predeceased by her husband Mark N. Rice, Sr., who passed away in 1969. She leaves her son, Mark N. Rice, Jr. and his wife Margie of Chester, two sisters, Bernice E. Ford of Roscoe, NY and Lora J. Carrington of Chester; five grandchildren, John W. Regan of Chester, Donald H. Patterson III of Florida, Mark N. Rice III of Peru, Martha I. Rice of West Springfield, and Wilbur D. McCaul of Maine, and several great-grandchildren. She was also very fond of her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two daughters, Nancy M. Regan and Judith A. McCaul; four brothers, Earl, Elmer, Arthur and William Sanderson; two grandsons, Joseph and Jeffrey Regan and a great grandson. At her request there will be no calling hours and funeral services will be private with a celebration of Ethel’s life held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Chester Volunteer Fire Dept., 300 Rt. 20, Chester, MA 01011. O’Brien Hilltown Community Funeral Home in Huntington is in charge of the arrangements.
