Ann Marie Rice

Ann Marie Rice, beloved sister, aunt, cousin and friend died January 11th, 2020. She was born February 9th 1957, the fifth child and fourth daughter of the late Mary and Richard Rice; sister of Kathe Rice Stanley (Tom), Isabel Rice Roche (Bill), John Reiley Rice (Carol), Mary Rice Kent (Chris), Richard Robert Rice, Jr (Jackie) and Tricia Rice Hunter (Dave); aunt and great aunt to many nieces and nephews. A lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, Ann dedicated her career to serving children and families as a social worker in the Fairfax County Public School System for 31 years. Her friend and colleague described her career: “As a social worker Ann provided guidance, support, counseling, mentoring and outreach to not only students and families at her many schools, but to the school staff and her fellow social workers, many of whom have known her since she first began with FCPS. She was a humble person who downplayed her instrumental effect on others. She was never too busy to lend an ear and provide for those in need. Ann’s professional attributes included her sincere empathy for others, tenacious efforts in finding resources for her students and their families, and a kind, gentle, and sometimes humorous, approach with everyone she helped.” Ann was a student athlete at Mount Vernon High School where she played basketball, tennis and softball. At Radford University she played basketball and tennis. After college, she took up soccer and was active in the Fairfax County recreation league traveling to Mexico and Ireland to compete. Ann was a devoted daughter, sister and aunt who loved spending time with her large extended family. The annual Rice beach trips to Emerald Isle, NC with her extended family of 30+ and her trips to Sunriver, OR with sister Mary Rice Kent and family were the highlights of her year. Ann took guitar lessons as a child and played with the Good Shepherd Folk group as a teenager. She continued to play as an adult but her passion was attending concerts of all sorts of music with family and friends. Ann possessed a wry sense of humor and sharp wit well described by her cousin: “Ann was the consummate example of southern kindness, yet topped with that wonderful Irish flair for sweet sarcasm to bring a smile to whomever was fortunate to be in her presence.” Her family and friends and the children she cared for passionately were blessed to have her in their lives. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday January 20. Gathering at 10 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church 8710 Mount Vernon Hwy, Alexandria, Virginia. , Interment: 1:45 p.m. Fairfax Memorial Park 4401 Burke Station Road, Fairfax, Va 22032. Donations in Ann’s memory can be sent to the Foundation for Fairfax County Schools: https://fcpsfoundation.z2systems.com/donation.jsp?campaign=71&.

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Ann Marie Rice

February 9, 1957 - January 11, 2020