Lucy Rice's Obituary
Lucy Sanchez Rice of Clearwater, Florida, born in Miami, Florida November 3rd, 1945 and at the age of 75 was called home to be with her Lord on August 14th, 2021. Lucy had suffered for several years with an autoimmune disorder that eventually took her from her family and friends, way too early in her life.
She was married to her loving husband, Thomas G. Rice, November 12th, 1983, but always added they dated for 6 years before that! She always told the story of how they met working in a hair salon, and it was love at first sight.
Lucy was born in Miami, grew up in New York, then around age 31, followed her parents back to Miami, where she met her husband. They lived in Jackson, MS for 5 years where she loved going to New Orleans and gained a liking for oysters. Which brings us to travel and food. She loved to cook for her family, and even while sick in the hospital, worried about everyone having something to eat.
She also loved to travel, Charleston, Savannah, Detroit, Williamsburg VA, but most of all loved Maui, Hawaii. She loved children, dogs and cats especially her Oreo the cat, and orchids, and funny thing is, they loved her back.
There wasn’t a dog in the neighborhood that didn’t stop to visit her, and her face always lit up when she saw a baby, they loved her back.
Lucy never looked at herself as a religious person, but she always tried to pray every day, and go to church each Sunday. She was religious enough though, to convert her husband to Catholicism where she ended up saying “he’s more Catholic than I.”
Lucy was preceded by her devoted and loving Mother, Gloria Zucker 08/16/1922 to 09/15/1988, Herbert Zucker, 05/17/1921 to 01/21/1989, and a beloved nephew Eduardo Rodriguez, 04/08/1959 to 09/24/1990.
Lucy is survived by her still in love husband, Thomas G Rice, devoted son Richard Chiappetta, loving older sisters Cecelia Rodriguez, Diana Hennig, and younger brothers HR Zucker, and Steven Zucker, nephews Robert Hennig, Christian and Sebastian Zucker, and Angela Hennig Poovey.
She will be dearly missed by all, but they all know she is in a better place and is no longer suffering any pain.
Lucy was cremated at the Moss Feaster Funeral Home 693 S. Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL 33764 and a celebration of life for her friends and family will be at a later date.
In place of flowers, please make a donation in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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