Barbara Elizabeth Rice

Barbara Elizabeth Held Rice passed away peacefully on Friday, October 30 at the age of 72. Born March 24, 1948, Barbara was the beloved wife of the late Matthew F. Rice, Jr. and mother to Brett Rice, Shannon Rice Stanton (Paul), Meredith Rice Wright (Chris), and Bryan Rice (Carol). Grandmother of Zachary Stanton, Corinne Stanton, Kendall Stanton and Elliot Wright. Sister of Robert Held (Kathy), and aunt of Daniel Held (Becky) and Anthony Held. Cousin of Elizabeth Durham (Dennis), and godmother to Colleen Durham. Preceded in death by parents Louise Grashoff Held and Alvin J. Held. Born in New Orleans, Ms. Rice was a 1966 graduate/salutatorian of the Academy of the Holy Angels, and began a collegiate career at the University of New Orleans. As a huge proponent of education, she returned to the University of New Orleans after twenty years to finish her Bachelor’s degree, and was only two credits shy of her goal when her health began to decline. She was also a longtime parishioner of St. Clement of Rome parish in Metairie, where she sat as a weekly guardian of the Adoration Chapel for many years. Throughout her life, however, her true passion was her children and grandchildren, to whom she dedicated her life in every way imaginable. She was the ultimate caretaker for her son Brett, and lived her life with fierce independence, eloquence and grace.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 2100 Westbank Expressway in Harvey, LA, on Saturday, November 21 from 11 AM-12:30 PM. A Mass will follow in the Mothe Funeral Home Chapel at 12:30 PM. If so desired, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mulherin Custodial Home of Mobile (Brett), 2496 Hall’s Mill Road, Mobile, AL 36606. Family and friends may offer condolences at mothefunerals.com.