Obituary of Margaret A. Rice

Margaret A. “Peggy” Rice, 93, of Cty. Rte. 70A, Hornell, Town of Howard, went home to her Lord from her earthly home on Friday, January 2, 2026. Peggy was born in Oswego, NY on September 21, 1932, a daughter of Harold J. “Dick” and Olive M. (Wood) Strait. She attended Jasper Central School and later earned her GED. On January 23, 1950, Peggy and James E. Rice were married in West Jasper. Jim preceded Peggy in death on April 20, 2018. They made their home in Jasper where they raised their family together. Peggy had several jobs throughout her life including working as a waitress and sales clerk at various local businesses. Her most significant jobs were working as a unit secretary for St. James Hospital from 1970 to 1980 and then as an aide for the handicapped at New York State ICF Center in Painted post until 1991 when she fully retired. Upon Peggy’s retirement, she and Jim moved to Tavares, FL where they resided until 2007 when they returned to New York. While residing in Florida, they were very active at Trinity Chapel in Mt. Dora, FL with Peggy serving as Friendship Secretary and also sang in the choir. Upon their return north, they joined the Canisteo Wesleyan Church. Peggy enjoyed reading, crocheting and spending special time playing board games with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surviving are her children, Karen Rice of Hornell, Monica (Tom) Flaitz of Hornell and James Rice Jr. of Somerset, KY, her daughter-in-law, Vivian Rice of Lockport, her grandchildren, Don (Jackie) Lewis, Brett (Heather) Flaitz, Jason (Jennifer) Flaitz, Jamey (Frankie) Rice, Daniel (Tammie) Rice, Christopher (Kristen) Rice, Micah (Sandy) Rice, Eric Rice, Andrea (Chris) Clark and Timothy Rice, 26 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, her sisters, Betty Stanford of Canisteo, Sonjia Bennett of North Carolina and Bonnie Maurizio of Perkasie, PA, sister-in-law, Judy Rice, brother-in-law, Bill Spicer along with several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband Jim and her parents, Dick and Olive Wood Strait, Peggy was predeceased by her son, Richard Rice on Feb. 3, 2025, her sister, Louise Spicer, her daughter-in-law, Regina Rice and brother-in-law, Robert Stanford. Peggy’s family will receive friends on Saturday, January 10 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Canisteo Wesleyan Church, Greenwood St. Canisteo. Her funeral service will follow there at 1 pm with Rev. Shannon Brumfield officiating. Burial will be in Woodhull Cemetery at a later date. The family is being assisted by the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull.