Charlaine Rice | Obit

Charlaine Rice

Charlaine was born on November 27, 1933, in Tacoma, Washington, to Miles and Mildred MacDonald. Five years later, she proudly welcomed her younger brother Bobby. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1952, where she met the love of her life, Francis Rice. A love story that would span more than seven decades.

Francis and Charlaine were married on June 19, 1953, just a year and a half after meeting. From that day forward, they built a life defined by love, loyalty, laughter, and unwavering devotion. For 72 and a half years they stood side by side, rarely apart. If you saw one of them, you almost always saw the other.

Charlaine loved deeply and without hesitation. To her, family extended far beyond blood. Anyone she met was welcomed with warmth and quickly made to feel like they belonged. She had a rare gift for making people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Early in their marriage, Charlaine worked at her father’s Auburn Bakery and at an insurance company while Francis attended college. When their four children arrived, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to being a loving and dedicated mother. She was the heart of the home: serving as a Brownie leader, volunteering with the PTA, chaperoning dances, and driving her busy children to countless activities.

Later, Charlaine worked at Hickory Farms, where she quickly rose to managing two shifts, and eventually worked at Weyerhaeuser and Boeing. True to her warm and outgoing nature, she soon found herself on a first-name basis with both CEOs.

One of Charlaine’s greatest joys was being a grandmother. She loved her family fiercely and had a special gift for making each grandchild feel uniquely loved. Her legacy grew to include 13 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She and Francis filled their retirement with adventure; boating throughout Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, traveling south in their motorhome to the Arizona sunshine, and spending time at their oceanfront condo in Ocean Shores. They also enjoyed many fun trips to the casino with friends, always together and always laughing.

Charlaine will be remembered for the love she gave so freely and the warmth she brought to everyone around her. She was deeply cherished by her loving husband Francis Rice; her children Cindy (Greg), Melinda (Gary), Doug (Dina), and Cammie (Lars); her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and the countless friends whose lives she touched.

Though she will be profoundly missed, her love and light will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A celebration of Charlaine’s life will be held at Holy Family Church in Auburn, Washington, on March 28 at 11:00 AM.