Jody "Joy" Rice

Jody “Joy” Rice was born November 16, 1977. At 18 months, God placed Jody in the loving arms of Don, Gay, Jon, and Mary Pat Rice. Despite being born with cerebral palsy, she thrived with the love and care of her family and the many caregivers and mentors who came into her life.

She accomplished many things in her life. She went to school at Maple River, MN Academy for the Blind and worked for 20 years at MRCI where she met many lifelong friends.

Her greatest purpose in her life has to have been the influence she had on her many caregivers and staff who were inspired to go into a variety of careers in healthcare.

For 24 years, she lived and thrived at her group home on Marie Lane in North Mankato where she developed lifelong friendships.

Jody is survived by Mom and Dad of Mapleton; brother, Jon, of Wilmington, NC; sister, Mary Pat (Ledell Peterson) of Minneapolis; nephew, Bennie Rice; nieces, Jordan, Ramsey, Peyton, Miracle, Stacy (husband, Josh, and their daughter, Chanel) Waller, and Cheri Grounds; aunts, Becky, Shirley, and Janet of Durand, OK; special sister, Angela Moore; and friends, Kristy, Debbie, Darcy, Lois, and many more.

She is preceded in death by grandparents; sister, Christy; and second mom, Ariel.

We are grateful for the loving care she received at the Mapleton Community Home and St. Croix hospice.

Memorials can be sent to: Gillette Children’s Foundation, 200 University Avenue East, Internal 010601, St. Paul, MN 55101