MaryEllen Rice

MaryEllen M. Rice, age 89, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025.

She was born Sept. 18, 1935, in Fort Wayne, to the late Dr. Leland Stanford and Grace K. (née Keenan) McKeeman. MaryEllen was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and earned her Bachelor of Science in education from Indiana University and Master of Education in elementary education from St. Francis University and taught at Waynedale Elementary School. She married Edward B. Rice on Aug. 17, 1957, and enjoyed 55 years together before his passing in May of 2013.

MaryEllen served on the board of the Embassy Theatre and was instrumental in organizing and planning the First Festival of Trees in 1983, a holiday festival that continues to this day. She also served on the Fort Wayne Historical Society board of directors, SCAN, was active in the Republican Party, was a community volunteer, including at Lutheran Hospital, and found great pleasure in making breakfast and cookies at Stillwater Hospice. MaryEllen was a member of the Fort Wayne Bridge Club, former member of Fort Wayne Country Club and Sycamore Hills Golf Club, and was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Arcola.

MaryEllen had a love of traveling and enjoyed many trips all across the world.

MaryEllen was the devoted mother of three sons, Stanford E. (Susan) Rice, of Fort Wayne, and Daniel B. (Tina) Rice and John D. (Tricia) Rice, both of Warsaw; and the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren, Alexandra (James) Price, William, Michael, Samuel, Hannah, Daniel, Elizabeth and Christina Rice. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward B. Rice; brother, Stanford McKeeman; and sister, Joan M Martin.

A Mass of Christian Resurrection will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Arcola, 12305 Arcola Road, with calling beginning at 10 a.m. Entombment will be at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Stillwater Hospice, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814; Embassy Theatre Foundation, 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46802; Magical Meadows Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center, 3386 E. 525N, Warsaw, IN 46582; or the Edward B. Rice Nursing Scholarship, c/o St. Francis University Office of Institutional Advancement, 2701 Spring St., Fort Wayne, IN 46808.

Arrangements are entrusted to D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes – Covington Knolls, Fort Wayne. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at mccombcares.com.