Marilyn and Stan

Rice

TURNER — Stan and Marilyn Rice of Turner celebrated 60 years of marriage with friends and family at the family camp at Bear Pond. The couple was married on Sept. 3, 1955, at the Nazarene Church in Livermore Falls.

Mrs. Rice, the former Marilyn Foss, graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1953 and headed to Eastern Nazarene College in Wollaston, Mass. Soon after her arrival, she was walking across campus when she spotted a handsome man heading her way. Marilyn has told the story of the next few moments many times to her four children. She felt an instant attraction and said to herself, “That is the man I am going to marry.” Two years later, they were married.

On his return to the states after a tour in Korea, Mr. Rice, a Purple Heart recipient, decided to use his GI bill to attend Eastern Nazarene College. Raised in Dorchester, Mass., he fell in love with a countrywoman, the best decision he ever made. He respected her work ethic, as she worked every day to pay her way through school. They also shared a love of music with Mr. Rice playing the saxophone and Mrs. Rice playing the piano and accordion.

The couple settled in Massachusetts and raised four children. They both taught school for many years and, when it was time to retire, Mrs. Rice talked her husband into moving back to her cherished Maine — another great decision as they have enjoyed 18 years of retirement together in Turner. The family camp has been a source of joy as their four children, 10 grandchildren, and now three great-grandchildren have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy many happy occasions together on the sandy shores of Bear Pond.

Copy the Story Link