Mary B. Rice, 68, of Cooperstown, passed away at 9:58 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie.

Born July 22, 1950, in Franklin, Mary was the daughter of the late Wayne Essington and Twila Marie Deeter Hefferman.

She was married to Myron R. Rice, and he survives.

Prior to her retirement, Mary was an L.P.N. She worked at Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community for more than 20 years, and retired from the practice of Dr. Thomas Chesar, where she worked for more than 10 years.

Mary was a member of the Bradleytown Community Church.

She enjoyed watching Pittsburgh sports, traveling, reading, watching NASCAR and feeding birds and animals in her backyard while attending to her plants. She especially enjoyed watching her grandson, Chance’s, soccer matches, her great-niece, Aurora’s, dance shows and babysitting her great-nephews, Jasper and Emmett.

In addition to her husband, Mary is survived by her daughter, Melissa Rice, of Meadville; her son, Matt S. Rice, of Denver, Colorado; and her grandson, Chance M. Rice, of Meadville.

She is also survived by her two sisters, Linda K. Dailey of Titusville and Kathie Craft and her husband, Edward, also of Titusville; her nieces, Bonnie Dailey of Erie, and Lisa R. Dailey of Cooperstown; her nephews, Larry W. Dailey and his wife, Ambre, of Charlotte, Vermont and Mitchell E. Craft and his wife, Maria, of Titusville; and her great-nieces and great-nephews, Aurora C. Motter of Erie, Kaya R. Dailey of Charlotte, Vermont and Jasper M. Craft and Emmett E. Craft, both of Titusville. She is additionally survived by her faithful dog, Clyde; and her grandpups, Lulu and Molly.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her son, Michael Ray Rice.

Family and friends of Mary will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Tuesday, April 30, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at the Bradleytown Community Church (formerly the Bradleytown United Methodist Church) on Wednesday, May 1 at 11 a.m., with Lynn Brumagin, officiating.

Interment will be in Peters Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Bradleytown Community Church — c/o Mary Williams — 1971 Bradleytown Road, Cooperstown Pa. 16317.

Online condolences may be made at www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.