Natalie Nelson Rice

SOUTH PORTLAND - Natalie Nelson Rice, 89, of South Portland, formerly of West Paris, died peacefully September 20, 2011, with her loving family by her side. She was born July 7, 1922 in Portland, the daughter of Harold Clayton Perham and Phyllis Diantha Williams- Perham. She was the first of thirteen children. Natalie was a 1940 graduate of West Paris High School and attended Business School in Portland specializing as a Secretary. She married Herbert James Rice, Jr. in 1943 and began raising her family on Garrison St. in Portland, Maine. As her family grew, they next lived on Boston St in Sunset Park, South Portland, and finally on Ocean St, South Portland, where she resided with 'her boys' for almost fifty years. Natalie's last years were spent with her loving family and friends at St. Josephs Manor in Portland, Maine. To the dulcet tones of Nat King Cole, her favorite singer, Natalie celebrated 64 years of marriage with 'her Herbie' and continued her love and devotion to him for all her years. Their wedding anniversary June 1st of this year would have been their 68th. Natalie raised her three boys, Gerald (1944), Jeffrey (1946), and Timothy (1953) with unwavering love and consideration, giving all that she could to provide for and encourage them. In her early years in Portland, Natalie worked for the Maine Central Railroad, at their location in the brick office buildings next to Union Station. In the 1960's with her children grown, she rejoined the work force and for many years worked as secretary for St. Patrick's Church in Portland under the guidance of her mentor and friend Father John Feeney. She was a communicant of Holy Cross Church in South Portland and also served there as a Eucharistic Minister. Natalie was very involved in her religion, and her devotion to it expressed itself in the many people she helped. In her retirement Nat enjoyed traveling with her husband Herb, visiting Europe, Russia, China, and The Holy Land, as well as visiting and sharing her love with her family throughout the United States. Natalie deeply loved each and every one of her 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and in return they have all loved and cherished their "Gam". She was always there with kindness and ready hugs! She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Herbert in 2007; a son Jeffrey L. Rice in 1992; two brothers, Sidney and Harold, Jr. Surviving are: two sons, Gerald W. and his wife Margaret of Manchester, NH, Timothy J. and his wife Penelope of Scarborough; four sisters, Mary Ann Brown of West Paris, Margaret Turner and Nancy Perham , both of South Paris, Martha Sirois of Greene; six brothers, Joseph Perham of West Paris, Roscoe "Rusty" Perham of Oxford, Alfred Perham of Maryland, Douglas Perham of New Jersey, John Perham of Massachusetts; Bradley Perham of Mt. Holly, NC; five grandchildren, James Rice, Deidre McGrath, Jasper Rice, Leah Rice, Haley Rice; three great grandchildren, Brendan Rice, Dylan Rice, and Logan Rice. Relatives and friends are invited to attend an 11AM Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, September 23, at Holy Cross Church, Corner of Broadway and Cottage Road, South Portland, followed by Interment in New Calvary Cemetery. Again, all are invited to participate. Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. In memory of Herbert and Natalie, donations may be made to: St. Joseph's Rehabilitation Residence, 1133 Washington Avenue, Portland, Maine 04103. Online Condolences for Natalie Rice