Pauline T. Rice

Pauline “Polly” Tuttle Rice, passed away March 12, 2022 under the wonderful and compassionate care of the hospice staff at Westerly Hospital. Polly was born on September 27, 1928 in Acton Massachusetts, the eldest child of the late Harlan Tuttle and Gertrude Phillips Tuttle. Polly was a graduate of Cushing Academy, in Ashburnham Massachusetts, then continued her education at Colby-Sawyer College in New London New Hampshire. It was during this time that she met her husband, Ted Rice, to whom she was married for 64 years before his passing. 

Polly was a dynamic and bright woman who worked for a time as a lab technician in Hartford, before moving to Simsbury Connecticut to raise their family. After Ted's retirement, they built a new life for themselves in North Stonington, where Polly was able to enjoy all of her most treasured hobbies including reading, walking in nature and gardening. She was a member of the North Stonington Garden Club, where she found great friendships and pride for the community work that was done. Above all else, Polly loved her family deeply and put her whole heart into being the best wife, mother and grandmother that one could be. 

Polly was pre deceased by her loving and devoted husband, Ted Rice, her brother, Frederick Tuttle and her son Tom Rice, but is survived by her daughters Laurel Astle, her husband Jim, Jeanne Stracener and daughter-in-law Lois Rice. Polly is also survived by four granddaughters and their spouses, Lauren and Ryan Kelly, Karen and Andrew Hayes, Emily and Brian Stratton, and Tracy Astle. She also took great joy in knowing her five great grandchildren, Everett, Theodore, McKenna, Briella and Orson. 
Our deepest, and most sincere, appreciation and admiration goes out to the Gadway and Kessler families who not only share in the pain of our loss, but who provided a decade of unwavering commitment and care to our loved ones. Polly had a kind smile, maternal wisdom, and grace that was irreplaceable; the loss of this smart, strong and compassionate woman will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Wheeler Library in North Stonington, or the North Stonington Garden Club. 

Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St. Westerly, RI will be assisting the family during this time.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com