Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Simone’s prayers were answered on a morning in early July 2024 at the age of 90. She was at home with her daughters when she passed. Simone had been waiting patiently to go to heaven to be with her husband Berton, family and many friends who had preceded her in death.
Simone was born in Lowell Massachusetts in 1934. She was the youngest of 5 siblings. She attended Catholic Schools and worked for her father’s grocery market. As this was during the depression, she learned of tough times and people needing assistance. Her father helped people during that time. This life lesson served her well as she was a humble, thoughtful and giving person. After graduating High School, she met the love of her life while attending a dance, Bert. She married Berton Rice. They renewed their wedding vows to celebrate their 60th anniversary prior to Bert passing in 2015. Simone and Bert made a great team, each supportive of the other, accomplishing a great life even during difficult times. Simone was a wonderful wife and partner, dedicated mother, valued employee, treasured friend and loved by many.
Simone is survived by her three daughters, LouAnn, Allyne and Kathy. As well as three grandchildren; Amra, Aivry and Janeva and one Great Grandchild, Violet. Simone was excited for the upcoming nuptials of Amra and Troy, and Rachael and Aivry.
Mainly Simone loved to be with people. She loved preparing food and decorating for a joyful fun event which usually included some kind of silly games, practical jokes, costumes, music and dancing. When the holidays came all were invited, all friends and relatives came to play together, young and old, Charade’s was the most anticipated game of the gatherings. Christmas was always special, we couldn’t have been more blessed. She loved square dancing in the beautiful hoop skirts, and Bert in his western attire.
We were fortunate to get to go camping as a family. The camping trips got larger as the years went by and more and more friends and relatives joined in the fun. Many great memories were made on the Saco River, Kancamagus Highway, Hampton beach, Fort Myers, Cape Code and many more.
Simone was an elegant lady, always so well put together from head to toe. That never changed, not even at 90.
Simone loved animals, especially dogs. She raised a few litters of Poodle pups, and we always had a dog or three to love. She continued to always have a companion, I’m sure she is loving them all again in heaven.
Bert told us that he would go shopping with her and would profess to need to find a seat as she would be a while. He said he would position himself where he could watch her, secretly, as she could never pass the display of stuffed animals and would proceed to touch each and every one until she found the softest. He knew her well and loved her heart. She always had a gift for any visiting child, and it passed the soft test.
Being raised by Simone meant following the rules, sometimes we were better at this than other times but in the end, we could not be prouder of who she was to us, and what she taught along the way. We are proud of who she was to her family, and who she was to her friends.
We will always miss our mom, especially the way her smile could light up a room. She went from mom to dear friend. We miss the era of moral and instinctively courageous people. Simone takes with her an era of goodness that we long to replicate. We thank God for the examples we have been given of their triumph over difficult times, and bringing to bear the important things in life….Faith in God, Love and Friendship.
Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Mass in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
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