Mary Martha Ralph Rice

Mary Martha Ralph Rice, life-time resident of Fallbrook, passed away on Sept. 24, 2012. Mary was born Dec. 8, 1918.

In 1923, when she was 5 years old, Mary’s mother and father, Marguerite and Frank Miller, brought her along with her brothers and sisters to settle on a ranch near McDonald and Morro Roads in Fallbrook, where they all grew up.

Mary graduated from Fallbrook High School in 1937 and spent the rest of her life in Fallbrook, where she raised her family, and lived and loved her life.

She was preceded in death by her son Ronnie Ralph. Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Ronnie Carney of Anaheim; grandchildren Celia and Michael Prevost of Murrieta, Craig and Terrie Carney of San Clemente; three great-grandchildren; her sister, “Chickie” Mahr of Fallbrook; brother Deke Miller of Murrieta; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary received great personal gratification from her involvement in the numerous civic organizations to which she belonged.

Her deep love for family, friends, and her “hometown” never wavered, as even in her final days she perused the Village News from cover to cover.

There are not enough words to describe “Aunt Mary” and her life. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.

A favorite poem: “I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun, of happy memories that I leave when life is done.”

A graveside service was held Sept. 27, 2012.