Muriel Prince Rice,83, formerly of Mystic died Jan. 25, 2004 at The Elms in Westerly, R.I.
She was born in Hartford, Ct. June 6, 1920 the daughter of Albert and Ethel Prince. She graduated from Connecticut College and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy where she worked in Naval Intelligence at the Pentagon during WWII. She left the Navy when she met and married Theodore C. Rice who died in 2003.
Muriel and her husband traveled all over the world and lived in countries such as Morocco, England, Iran, and Greece.
Muriel volunteered for many organizations during her life. While living in Iran she organized groups that would visit and play with children in orphanages. In the USA she belonged to the literacy volunteers. During the late seventies, Muriel and Ted came to live in Mystic. She was a member of the Mystic Womens’ Club for many years.
Muriel loved to travel. She led tours to Russia and Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East. She traveled with the Elderhostel Organization too. She was adept at photography, swimming, and hiking. During her later years she became an ardent sea kayaker. She was often seen circling Mason’s Island in her kayak and making her way to the Community Center in Mystic.
Muriel may have been best known for her wit and for her ability to make and keep friends. She is survived by a brother, Dr. Albert Prince of Marietta, Ohio, her two nephews, her three daughters, Leigh Rice Darrow of Massachusetts, Leslie Rice of Mystic, Julie Rice of North Carolina. A daughter, Valerie Rice, died in 1998. She is also survived by five grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at the Mystic Congregational Church, East Main Street, Mystic Sunday at 1pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Private burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Donations in her name may be sent to the Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington VA 22203-1606 or visit www.nature.org or please send mail to the Family of Muriel P. Rice, 6 Maple Avenue, Mystic CT 06355.