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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Rice, Esmee Nanette “Nan”

RICE, Esmee Nanette “Nan” Esmee Nanette Rice (Nan) joined her husband, Riley, in Heaven on June 5, 2013.

Nan was born to Louis and Daisy Bath on December 12, 1925 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Her family moved to Spokane where she attended Emerson Elementary School, Havermale Junior High, and graduated from North Central High in 1943.

She then went on to graduate from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in 1946 and became a Registered Nurse.

Nan started her nursing career working in hospitals in Sheridan, WY; Tacoma, WA; Moscow and Lewiston, ID.

Upon settling in Spokane, she worked at Hawthorne Manor and Riverview Retirement Homes, and Holy Family Hospital.

Nan met the love of her life, Riley, in May 1947 and they married three months later on August 30.

Their love at first sight blossomed for 64 years.

Death parted them temporarily when Riley passed away on August 7, 2011.

Nan is survived by four children, Bonnie (Howard Heard) of Burbank, CA; Bruce (Monica) of Carlisle, PA; Vicki and Ken (Janet) of Spokane.

She was thrilled when Bruce and Monica blessed her with four grandsons Collin, Patrick (Ashley), Andrew, and Christopher.

She was very proud of them and loved them dearly.

She is also survived by four nephews and nieces and their families in Western Washington.

Nan was beautiful and had an inner strength and confidence that reflected her strong faith in God.

She was an active member of St. David’s Episcopal Church for 52 years.

Her compassion was evident not only in her decision to become a nurse, but also in her many volunteer activities.

In retirement, she worked for H&R Block and at the State Line Visitors’ Center where she and Riley welcomed visitors to the state that they loved.

She and Riley took numerous Amtrak trips around the country visiting friends and relatives and working on genealogy.

They also traveled to the Bahamas, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska and made several trips to the British Isles to research her ancestry.

She cherished times with friends, enjoyed gardening, the outdoors, music and dance and was an avid fan of Gonzaga basketball.

She was so loved and will be missed beyond words.

A Memorial Service will be held On Wednesday, July 10 at 2:00 p.m. at Riverview Terrace, 1801 E. Upriver Drive in the Chapel on the lower level.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, The American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation, or Caritas.

COMMUNITY CREMATION AND FUNERAL, SPOKANE, WA