Margaret A. Rice

Margaret A. “Gail” Rice was born Nov. 17, 1925 in Pasadena, Calif., to Sadie A. and William Henrichsen. She graduated from Pasadena Junior College and was selected as a Rose Princess for the Pasadena Rose Parade in the 1940s.

During the late ’40s she became an airline stewardess for TWA. In 1948 while flying for TWA, she met and married a pilot, Wilder S. “Bill” Rice, in Kansas City, Mo. Gail and Bill Rice had four children all born in different states: William A. Rice in Missouri, Leslie G. Hysom in California, Norma R. Moore in Michigan and Shelly R. Mullican in Alabama. Gail raised all four children, mostly by herself as Bill was flying for the Air Force all over the world and was away much of the time. They divorced after 28 years of marriage.

Gail Rice came to Alaska 45 years ago just after the earthquake with her family. She worked for many years with Walsh Construction Company and she continued her education and became a Realtor and broker and had her own business, Amber Realty. She also worked for Alyeska Pipeline Corporation for 15 years until her retirement at age 65.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents Sadie A. and William Henrichsen; her ex-husband Wilder S. “Bill” Rice; three grandchildren, Deanna C. Newland, Dennis W. Mullican and William B. Rice; one great-granddaughter, Evyn Ohnemus; and three sons-in-law, Sonny Blaylock, Robert F. Moore and Dennis C. Mullican.

Gail Rice is survived by her sister, Jean Vath and her husband Ted of Alta Loma, Calif.; children and their spouses, Bill and Fran Rice of Lake Louise, Leslie and Raymond Hysom of Anchorage, Noma R. Moore of Battle Ground, Wash., and Shelly W. Mullican of Soldotna; and five grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer and Rob Williams, Devonna and Chris Kamyszek, Shawn and Dawn Moore, Amber and Iver Ohnemus and Autumn and Troy Taylor. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren in Wasilla, Soldotna and Kenai.

In accordance with Gail’s wishes, she has been cremated and her ashes will be scattered in the summer somewhere overlooking Anchorage. Arrangements are under the care of Anchorage Funeral Home.