Barbara Jean Rice, 72, of Leonardtown, MD passed away on February 1, 2013 at the Hospice House of St. Mary's County after a courageous battle with cancer. Born January 10, 1941 in Erie, PA, she was the daughter of the late Betty Kennedy Ester and the late Elmer Phillip Ester. She grew up in Erie, graduating at the top of her class from Academy High School in 1958 before attending Penn State University.

Barbara lived most of her adult life in the Washington, DC area while completing a career encompassing over 25 years with the Federal Government, including the Department of State. Barbara loved to travel and took every opportunity that the job afforded. As Deputy Chief of Finance for the Western Hemisphere, Barbara travelled extensively to South and Central America, conducting inspections and audits and enjoying the exposure to different cultures.

Before retiring, Barbara served at the US Embassy in Athens, Greece, where she reveled in hosting friends and family alike and serving as tour guide extraordinaire. Upon returning from Greece about nine years ago, Barbara retired and moved with her family to Leonardtown, MD.

Barbara enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and had a great passion for animals, especially cats. Barbara attended First Saints Community Church, at the St. Paul's Campus, located in Leonardtown, MD. She was a member of the United Methodist Women's Group as well as the Young at Heart Bible Studies, and participated in various outreach ministries. Barbara also enjoyed arts and crafts.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Robert Raymond Rice, Sr. of Leonardtown, MD; her daughters, Kimberly Anne (Fortuna) Stillwell of Selbyville, DE and Tracy Lynn Fortuna of Leonardtown, MD; step son, Robert Raymond Rice, Jr. of Woodstock, VA; and her grandchildren, Brianna Rae (Kirtley) Burnell of Fredericksburg, VA, Jeffery Adam Stillwell, Jr. of Dahlgren, VA, Brady Logan Kinslow, Catherine-Marie Kennedy Kinslow, and Devlin Joseph Kinslow of Leonardtown, MD.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, February 23, 2013, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at First Saints Community Church, St. Paul's Campus, 25550 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. by Pastor Ruth Dixon with a lunch to follow the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary's County.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.