South Paris – Ruth B. Rice, 89, of South Paris, passed away March 25, at home after several years of declining health.

She was born in Yagger, October 16, 1917, the daughter of Arthur and Helen Howe Buswell. Her mother died when she was six days old and her father at eleven months, and she was raised by her “Gram” Lizzie Ryerson Howe. She graduated from Norway High School in 1936 and had worked at C.B. Cummings and Sons in her early years.

She married Charles H. Rice of Waterford on January 3, 1942 and they lived in Norway until moving to South Paris in 1954. He passed away December 27, 1999. She was active in Oxford County Extension Service, served as a 4-H Club Leader, and was a member of Mount Hope Rebecca Lodge for many years. She had been a member of Norway Grange #45 since 1932, holding several offices, and was proud that her great-grandfather, Charles Ryerson was the first master of Norway Grange. She always enjoyed baking rolls and pies for Grange and lodge suppers. In later years she had worked at Ledgewood Motel. She served LITVOL as a literacy volunteer for several years.

She is survived by a daughter, Carol Helen Rice of Cincinnati and South Paris; a son George Wayne and daughter-in-law, Patty, of South Paris; granddaughter Georgia Valle and Rusty Valle, of Turner; grandson Mike Rice and Wendy, of Marshfield, Mass.; great-grandchildren Mike Valle and Jenn Valle, of Turner, and Abby Rice of Marshfield, Mass.; cousins Natalie Stearns of South Paris, and Douglas Howe of Portland.

The family appreciates all the caregivers that made it possible for her to remain at home.