On March 10, 2024, Dianne Shirley Rice, loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend passed away suddenly at 64 years old - a month short of her 65th birthday. (She was actually born Shirley Dianne Patten, but lost out to another Shirley in school who was not fortunate enough to have a middle name - her teacher renamed her for simplicity and her family deferred to the teacher's authority.)

Dianne was born on April 21, 1959 in Glovertown, Newfoundland and grew up across the brook in Traytown. She was the ninth of twelve children and, while her family did not have much, they were very close, remaining so all her life. As a young girl she took pleasure in simple things such as dressing up her doll, or jumping on ice floes in the harbour (which she would later forbid her own children from doing).

Out of high school, she moved to the big city - Windsor - to live with her sister Joan's family. She briefly worked at Sobeys, where she met Dennis Rice, who became her husband in 1978, and with whom she had two children. She left that job to train to be a Registered Nursing Assistant (later known as a Licenced Practical Nurse), which she did for 35 years. While having many roles, she worked primarily in pediatrics and geriatrics, touching many lives along the way. Her skill and experience extended to her private life, where she was the "family doctor", fielding questions and providing treatment for less serious ailments. When she had had enough 12 hour/overnight shifts, she took a series of part time cashier positions before retiring for good in 2019.

Dianne had a series of hobbies over the years (her children still wear sweaters she knit for them many years ago) but settled on quilting, demonstrating real talent. She created some masterpieces for friends and family, and thoroughly enjoyed both attending quilting retreats where she could learn and socialize, and passing her knowledge on to others (particularly her sisters and sisters-in-law, who were eager students).

Above all, Dianne loved her large family. She enjoyed nothing more than getting the crowd together, laughing into the wee hours with everybody refusing to go to bed for fear of missing out on something. She spent 41 years with Dennis, caring for him through his illness before his passing in 2020. She was proud of her two children, for whom she was a caring, supportive (and just generally amazing) mother. She really hit her stride as a grandmother, showering her grandchildren with love and affection, taking pleasure in spoiling them and watching them grow.

Dianne leaves to mourn her children Dennis (Erin) and Darlene; grandchildren Preston, Emma, and Jack; siblings Doris, France, Art, Gerald, Linda, and Rod; and a wide circle of family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Dennis, her parents Jack and Mary Ann, and her siblings Bill, Ena, Joan, Margaret, and Mildred.

The public visitation will take place Friday, March 15, 2024 at 7-9 pm from Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 10 Bayley Street, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL.

The funeral service will take place Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm from The Salvation Army Park Street Citadel, 27 Park Street, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL.

The interment will be at a later date.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 10 Bayley Street, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL.