Diane Kay (DuVall) Rice, 74, of Mendon, died peacefully, December 18 in her home. She was the wife of Richard Rice for the past 46 years.
She was born in Madison, Wisconsin, December 28,1943, the daughter of the late Carmen and Doris (Johnson) DuVall. Diane was raised in McFarland, Wisconsin, moved to Franklin, Massachusetts in 1960, and then Mendon in 1995.
She was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Diane was a shining light in the lives of her family and all who knew her. Her high spirits and endless energy touched every soul she came in contact with. She was kind and generous, opening her heart and home to family, friends and sometimes bare acquaintances. Her homes on Main Street in Franklin and ‘the cottage’ on Nipmuc lake in Mendon were central gathering places where there was seldom an empty bed or place at the table, where aquaintences become friends, friends became family and family became closer.
Diane was truly interested in the lives of those around her, whether she knew you her whole life, or had met you today. She was enthusiastic in offering praise or congratulations for accomplishments and looked for and pointed out a person’s good qualities, the things that made them special and cherished. No one left Diane’s company without feeling better about themselves.
In her work, paid or volunteer, Diane often championed the most vulnerable. She worked with children in pre-Kindergarten and home-based daycare, patients at Wrentham State School, women at a Battered Women’s Shelter, prisoners through MCI’s division of education, and elderly dementia patients at Benchmark.
Diane departed this world far too soon. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Her spirit lives on in the lives she touched, and those she loved.
In addition to her husband, Diane is survived by her children, David Doherty and his wife Becky of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Tammy Doherty of Bergheim, Texas, Patrick Doherty and his wife Kim of Mendon and Cindy Ripp and her husband Matt of Arlington, Wisconsin.
She is also survived by her siblings, David DuVall & Shelley of Portage, Wisconsin, Janice Eith of Verona, Wisconsin, Judy Thatcher of Verona, Wisconsin and Becky DuVall & Jim Wrchota of Arlington, Wisconsin.
She is also survived by her grandchildren Brian, Connor, Hannah, Olivia, Kaylin, Alexandra, Grace, Neiley, and Easton as well as many nieces and nephews and loving friends.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, December 29 from the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin at 9:15 followed by a funeral mass in St. Mary’s Church at 10:00. Burial will be private.
Calling hours will be on Friday,December 28, from 4-8 p.m.
A memorial celebration will be planned in Wisconsin for family and friends who cannot attend.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston 02114.