Haverhill – Brenda J. (Files) Rice, 73, wife of the late Paul T. Rice, Jr. passed away on Sunday, June 5 at Avita of Newburyport after living with progressive dementia since 2013. She was surrounded by her immediate loving family, and her adopted Avita family, during her passing.Born in Haverhill, she was the daughter of the late Robert A. Files and Marion (“Natalie”) (Emery) Files-Kerry. Raised and educated in Haverhill, Brenda was a graduate of Haverhill High School, Class of 1960. Brenda loved spending time at the local beaches, watching sunrises and reading, for years with her husband, and later with her daughters and grandchildren. In her later life, she renovated doll houses with her husband and her best friend and sister-in-law, Pamela O’Brien. She loved bargaining at yard sales on the weekends. She lived in Arizona from 2005 until 2008 with her daughter Jacki and four of her six grandchildren. There she loved to attend all of the children’s performances and events. In 2008 she moved to Florida near her daughter Laurie and her husband James Richards where she lived in retirement at Sun City Center. In 2014, she moved back to the North Shore in MA with both of her daughters.While in Florida she volunteered at the local library in Sun City. Brenda was an avid reader, often seen in her favorite rocking chair, with the latest book. She also loved dining out to her favorite restaurants.She cherished her grandchildren and was an active grandmother, always participating in their activities and enjoying their accomplishments.In her final year, Brenda gained new family members at Avita of Newburyport. The staff’s energy, care, understanding of dementia, and constant attention was a comfort for the family, and a gift to Brenda, who loved them very much. The family will be forever thankful for Avita. Surviving her are her two daughters, Laurie J. Richards and her husband James C. of Wells, ME and Jacki L. Rice and husband Michael Basso of Salisbury a sister, Patricia Huberdeau of Cheshire sisters-in-law Donna Roberts and Melanie Altruda and brother-in-law Phil Rice her grandchildren, Meghan L. Howland, Leighann Richards, Andrew Knouse, Max C. Knouse, Hannah C. Knouse and Cameron P. Knouse. In addition to her husband she was predeceased by her brother David Files and sister-in-law Pamela O’Brien. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, June 9 from 4:00PM until 6:30PM at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main Street, Haverhill. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Haverhill Public Library, 99 Main Street, Haverhill, MA 01830, a favorite place she frequented during her life in Haverhill. Please visit Comeau Funeral on Facebook or www.comeaufuneral.com
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