Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Call now for immediate attention: 772-999-5547
Dolores Maria Rice, known to friends as “Dolly” passed away on April 9, 2021, at the age of 93 years.
Dolores Maria (Orgo) Rice was born November 2, 1927 in Newark, NJ. She came into this world 3 months early and barely tipped the scale at 3 pounds, hence her lifelong nickname of Dolly.
Dolly’s early life was pretty evenly split between New Jersey and Florida. She attended school at Holy Name Academy in St. Leo, Florida, and spent her summers in Spring Lake, NJ, where she met her husband Matthews (Matty) Rice. The two became one on January 4, 1950. The first 15 years of marriage was spent in New Jersey where Dolly spent her time raising their 3 children. In 1965 the family moved to Groveland FL. Dolly started working at Groveland High School where she stayed till 1975, at which time she was offered a job to manage the Gift Shop at Mission Inn, Howey in the Hills. Even among all of the business, Dolly was still able to maintain her passion for breeding and training German Shepherds as well as a love of gardening and floristry, often helping create beautiful bouquets for family events. Upon retiring she joined the South Lake Pink Lady Auxiliary which led her to a position in the hospital gift shop where she worked part-time until 2008. She then devoted her life caring for her loving husband until he passed in 2010. They were married for 60 years. The last 11 years of her life she enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters and great grandsons on what some would call breath-taking vacations.
She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Clermont, Florida
Dolly was preceded in death by her husband, Matty; her son Ernie Rice of Groveland; her brother Ernest Orgo, Colts Neck, NJ; her parents, Tom and Helen Orgo of Groveland Florida.
Dolly is survived by her son, Jeff (Nora) Rice, her daughter Kathlenia (Jimmy) Carter, granddaughters Jessica Carter, Ashleigh(Luke) Watkins, Janae Carter, three great grandsons, Deacon, Dawson and Jace, and 9 nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in her name, to the Vero VNA Hospice Nurses and House 901 37th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960
You loved us throughout a lifetime and we will love you throughout eternity.
Our caring professionals are here to assist you and your family during this difficult time. We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week to assist in immediate arrangements or pre-arrangements.
Irene Kirkegard
April 9, 2021, 3:26 pm
Our sympathies are with you Kathlenia and Jimmy. God bless the Rice and Carter families. If you need anything, please call.
Irene and Lars
Priscilla Moody
April 15, 2021, 12:18 pm
Dolly was such a special person, especially to Mom and all of our family. She and Uncle Rice as well as all of you kids, meant so much to us as we grew up. She always taught us so much. If Dolly Rice said it, it was a fact. So many wonderful memories…
Mary Wilbanks
April 16, 2021, 1:35 am
What a beautiful woman she was, what a beautiful life she lived and what a beautiful legacy she left. Priscilla is right, if Dolly Rice said it, it was fact. She and Mom shared such a wonderful friendship. I will always appreciate how close our families were. Such precious memories. I love all of you so much.
Jane Rice
April 17, 2021, 2:15 am
Aunt Dolly, thank you for caring for our FL family so well. You were a true woman of God; Proverbs 31. Thank you, family for caring for Aunt Dolly, and Matty, and the farm to diligently. God bless you all. Love Janie K. Rice
Donna Line
April 17, 2021, 5:42 pm
Dolly worked at Mission Inn Resort for many years. She was a great friend and endeared herself
to many. I personally learned so much from Dolly. She was independent, generous, loved her
family and shared many life stories of life and family. Jeff, Nora, Kathlenia and the entire family
you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Donna and Tom Line and the Beucher Family
Mission Inn