Margie Rice passed away peacefully on July 14, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Laurel Circle, Bridgewater, NJ.

Margie was born in NY, NY to Denis and Margaret Noonan on March 26, 1935 and was the oldest of eight children. Margie graduated in 1952 from St. Jean Baptiste High School in Manhattan. While she was in high school she met the love of her life, Jack Rice, and dated him until they were married on December 26, 1955.

After high school, Margie's Dad wanted her to become a teacher, but she pursued a more exciting job working for the FBI in NY. She was proud of the autographed photo from J. Edgar Hoover she received as she left to move to The United States Marine Corps Officer Training School in Quantico, VA with Jack. When training was completed they moved to Camp Lejeune, NC. Margie and Jack loved their new life in the military, made many life-long friends, and had their first child, Eileen.

Margie, Jack and Eileen moved to Astoria, Queens after Jack's honorable discharge. It was there they had their next two children, Kathy and Jack. Their next move was to Levittown, Long Island where their fourth child, Timmy, was born.

Their final move occurred in April, 1964 where Margie and Jack’s last two children, Patti and Tommy, were born. With six children, their lives were busy and exciting. When Tommy entered school, Margie re-joined the workforce and began her career with the Somerset County Administrator. Her boss had to frequently remind Margie that HE was, in fact, the boss. Her position and friendly personality enabled her to make so many new friends. It was not unusual to see birthday and Christmas cards from Freeholders, Senators, and Governors.

One of her favorite ways to tell people she was thinking of them or loved them was to send her signature "Ziggy" the cartoon cards to say, "This hug is for you." This was a typical Margie move. Margie was always a fierce competitor, whether playing Bridge, board games, bowling or ping pong with the kids. She taught the children to WIN....ALWAYS!

She was a devoted Catholic, attending Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville. Margie was a Ladies of Hibernian member, Irish Woman of the Year, coordinator of their monthly soup kitchen, a member of the Somerset County 200 Club, and anything related to Immaculate Conception Church and Immaculata High School. She always attended the football and basketball games, cheerleading competitions, and was a member of the Spartan Club. Summers were spent at the Elks Pool, with weekday swimming, weekend swim meets, and "Groovin' at the Grove."

Margie and Jack loved their vacations with the family. Every summer they went to "their" house on E. Shore Way in Ocean Beach. Their tiny 2-bedroom bungalow provided endless laughs, and family and friends dinners. The whole family spent everyday on the beach or in the water. They also vacationed at Woodloch Pines in Pennsylvania. These winter vacations were spent snow tubing, riding snowmobiles, enjoying family dinners, horse racing, and playing bingo. Margie surely wasn’t bashful about singing, dancing or acting. Woodloch put the bug in her ear about wanting to be called "G.G." when she became a grandmother. Her self-proclaimed name, G.G., was short for "Gorgeous Grandma," and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved calling her that name.

Margie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Jack. Also preceding her in death were two brothers, Denis and Joseph Noonan; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy and Louise Noonan; and her brother-in-law, Richard Ware.

She is survived by her six children and their spouses; Eileen Engleman (Mark Hess), Kathleen Sloan (Hugh), John Rice (Sherry), Timothy Rice (Caroline), Patricia Drake (Robert Belmont), and Thomas Rice (Melissa); eighteen grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 8:00PM on Friday, July 17, 2026 at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30AM on Saturday, July 18, 2026.

Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Somerville.

The Rice Family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the kind and generous nurses, aides, social workers, speech and physical therapists, and hospice nurses for the wonderful care during the last two years of her life at Assisted Living Facility, Laurel Circle.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.