NORWICH – Funeral services for Joanne Rice-Simpson were held on Tuesday morning, June 19, 2007 beginning with a prayer service at 9:15 a.m. from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home led by Mary Ann Bodiot, Parish Minister. This was followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 10 a.m. from St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church with the Reverend Lester Smith, Pastor of St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church of Sherburne, officiating. Mass began with the placement of the baptismal pall by Joanne’s sons Lynn, Tim and Michael Rice. The readings were proclaimed by Michael Simpson. Presenting the offertory gifts to Father Smith were Nicole Pillsbury, Elizabeth Wolford and Stephanie Okuniewski with Mary Ann Bodiot serving as Eucharistic Minister. Michael Simpson read a special poem in memory of Joanne and Jim Williams spoke in remembrance of Joanne’s life. The altar server was George Zieno. Music for the Mass was provided by Susan Ticknor as organist and Bertha DeFonzo was the soloist.
Interment followed in St. Paul’s Cemetery with Father Smith offering the committal prayers.
Pall bearers were Michael Simpson II, Gary Adams, Lino Maldanado, Mike Ward, Larry Loomis and Dennis Williams.