Mary Jane Rice's Obituary
Mary Jane “MJ” Rice, 79, passed away May 22, 2014. She was born August 29, 1934 in New Enterprise, Pennsylvania to the late George and Alma (Baker) Hershburger. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-son, David Rice.
MJ was a member of Church of the Brethren and moved to Hillsborough County in 2012 from Weeki Wachee, Florida. She was an avid golfer and accomplished not one, but two holes in ones. Her first one was on December 20th, 1990 at the Glen Lakes Golf Course on hole #7. Her passion was theater and musicals. As a young lady, she was in Off Broadway musicals. She participated in many productions over the years. MJ was very active in the Plaza Club and Stage West which were clubs in community theaters. In her later years, she authored many articles for the Arts and Entertainment sections of the Sun City Center, Kingspoint and Tampa Tribune newspapers. She was also on the committee that managed the scholarship fund through Freedom Plaza.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 37 years, Robert; children, Chris Daren of Charlotte, North Carolina; Samantha Savage and her husband Don of Diamond Head, Mississippi; Robert Rice, Jr. and his wife Meg of Seminole, Florida; Tammy Stracke and her husband Scott of Charlotte, North Carolina; Mike Rice of Florida and daughter-in-law Ella Rice of Iceland; brothers, Bill Hershberger and his wife of Marlene of New York and Jim Hershberger and his wife Shirley of Martinsville, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Evie, Jamison, Kathy, John, Lara, Megan, Shane and Nikki; and 9 great-grandchildren.
There will be a graveside service at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 Sw 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513 at 12:30 PM on Tuesday, June 10th 2014. There will also be a Celebration of Life Service to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to the Freedom Plaza Scholarship Fund, 1010 American Eagle Blvd., Sun City Center, Florida 33573. Condolences and memories may be left online at www.skywaymemorial.com.
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