Elinore Rice

Elinore Genevieve (Langley) Rice, 89, a lifelong resident of the “Riverside” section of Haverhill, died Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 at Merrimack Valley Hospital, after being stricken ill suddenly at her home.Born in Stoneham, her family moved back to Haverhill shortly after her birth. She was the daughter of the late Russell S. and Elliane E. (Provost) Langley. She was a graduate of Crowell School, Class of 1934, and Haverhill High School, Class of 1938.For many years, Mrs. Rice was employed as a special nutrition cook in the former Hale Hospital, retiring in 1984. She was quite involved in the city she loved, in its politics, and daily life. She worked on many campaigns, local and national going back to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Her latest campaign was working with her family on her late son’s scholarship fund for Haverhill High School.Her many memberships include Haverhill Women’s City Club, City Retirees Association, A.A.R.P., and Partners in Hope, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.A kind, sincere, woman, she was a proud matriarch, and lived for her family. “Ma” Rice’s cookie jar was never empty, and her door was always open, ready always for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.The widow of Paul T. Rice, Sr., she leaves a son, Philip and his wife Darlene of Haverhill three daughters, Pamela O’Brien of Haverhill, Donna and Donald Roberts of Atkinson, N.H., Melanie and her husband Joseph Altruda, of Northbridge daughter-in-law, Brenda Rice of Sun City, Fla. grandchildren, Laurie Richards, Jacki Knouse, Kelly O’Brien-Langan, Brian and Timothy Roberts, Erin Dube, Shannon and Casey Rice, Allison and Laura DiSenso, and Gina and Matthew Altruda great-grandchildren, Meghan Howland, Leighann Richards, Andrew, Max, Hannah, and Cameron Knouse, Kylie and Timothy Dube, Austin and Jayden Langan, Kaitlyn, Jonathan and Christopher Roberts, Tyler Rice and Nicolas Rice Kershaw, and Annabella Rice and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Paul T. Rice Jr. her sister, Natalie Poole and her son-in-law, Larry O’Brien.ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Wednesday from 3 until 7 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Route 125), Haverhill. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Atkinson Cemetery, Main Street, Atkinson, N.H. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Paul T. Rice Jr. Athletic Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1626, Haverhill, MA 01831 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. www.comeaufuneral.com.