Grace LoBrutto Rice, Angelica, formerly of Farmingdale, Long Island, passed away at home on Oct. 24, 2012 after a brief illness. She was born in New York C on December 18, 1919 to Antonia and Ignazio LoBrutto. On Dec. 14, 1941 she married the love of her life George “Bud” Rice who predeceased her in 2008. Grace was a nurse for 30 years on Long Island until she and George retired to move upstate. She loved reading, gardening, knitting, needle point and crochet as well as cooking for her family. She always enjoyed being with her family, especially the LaFamiglia family reunions every summer. Grace and George loved to travel and went on numerous trips to Europe together after they retired. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a past member of the Birdsall Grange.
Grace has a large extended family that loves her dearly with many of them traveling great distances to come visit her and say goodbye in her last few days. She died peacefully and aware of the loving family that surrounded her. Her beautiful smile was the last gift she gave them. The memory of Grace and her legacy of a life lived well, with great love and generosity will be cherished by her children: Ann (Tore) Omholt, Susanne (William) Timberlake, George Rice, Mary Ellen Jorgenson and Robert (Lynda) Rice.
Grace is survived by her sister, Louise DiGregorio, along with 15 grandchildren who loved their Noni very much: Michael (Marina) Giovagnoni, Robert (Marta) Giovagnoni, Joseph (Rosa) Giovagnoni, John (Mary) Giovagnoni, Lisa (Donald) Stephan, William (Renee) Timberlake Jr., Brian (Nicole) Timberlake, Erin (David) Owens, Alida Rice, George (Erica) Rice, Elfride Rice Winters, John (Liana) Burzenski, Jason Burzenski, Justin (Deana) Burzenski and Logan Rice. She was also blessed to have 27 great-grandchildren, 15-great-great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.
Grace was predeceased by her sister Lillian Vitale and brothers Paul and Peter LoBrutto, along with her grandson, James Timberlake.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 26, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Brown Powers Funeral Home in Angelica. There will also be a viewing Sunday, Oct. 28, from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at McCourt Trudden Funeral Home in Farmingdale, Long Island. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. James Church in Seaford, N.Y. on Monday, Oct. 29, at 10:30 a.m., with her final resting place to be Calvary Cemetery in Long Island City. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in her name to the Ronald McDonald House NY.
LaFamiglia!
