Marilyn P. Rice CLAREMONT — Mrs. Marilyn P. Rice, 96 years young, of Francis Street in Claremont, beloved Mom, Nana and GeeGee, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, of natural causes. Marilyn was born on Jan. 1, 1923, in Exeter, to Clarence "CP" and Katharine Ryan Parker. Marilyn relocated to Claremont in 1925. She graduated from Stevens HS in 1940 and that summer, she met actress Dorothy Lamour during a visit to Claremont. During that meeting, Marilyn presented Miss Lamour with flowers to which the actress proclaimed to the crowd: "this girl should be in pictures!" Shortly thereafter, Marilyn moved to New York City to become an active member of the Radio City Rockettes. After leaving the Rockettes, Marilyn returned to Claremont and began working in the local retail clothing industries. It was then she met and befriended Anne (Rice) Dexter, who introduced Marilyn to her brother WWII pilot H. Hamilton "Ham" Rice Jr. The two were wed on Dec. 31, 1946, and remained in Claremont to raise their family and live out the balance of their lives. Marilyn is survived by her brother Robert "Bob" Parker and wife Thelma of York, Maine; her four children, Christopher Rice of Claremont, Lyn Rice of Harpswell, Maine, Kimball Rice and wife Deborah Siwulec of Claremont, and Jennifer Pratt of Rochester; her six grandchildren, Justin Rice and wife Kelly of Claremont, Laila Valade and husband Ronald of Topsham, Maine, Austin Lemieux and wife Rachel of Boston, Massachusetts, Hillary Perron and husband Sean of Rochester, Meredith Chapman and husband Eric of Keller, Texas, and Michaela Rice and partner Sean Harding of Boston, Massachusetts; her nine great-grandchildren, Zahna and Maya Rice, Gavin, Bronwyn, Tobin and Arilyn Valade, Katharine and Brennan Perron and Ember Chapman; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband H.H. “Hammy” Rice Jr.; parents, C.P. and Katharine Parker; Aunt Edith Ryan; and two brothers, Clarence "Ace" Parker Jr. and John "Jack" Parker. Marilyn was loved dearly and cherished by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. A celebration of life will be planned in her memory in Spring 2020, announced at a later date. We love you, Mom/Nana/GeeGee, and will forever miss your warmth, your love, your laughter and your mac 'n' cheese and chocolate chip cookies (which can never be beat)!