Mac and Pat's Life Stories
May 24, 2022
Mac was a loving husband, father, uncle, mentor, and friend. He was born on September 5, 1945, in Salem, New Jersey to George P. Rice and Laura Crittenden Rice. Mac accomplished many things in his life. After graduating from Middletown High School in 1964, Mac joined the Marines and proudly served his country during the Viet Nam war, servicing military aircraft. He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Patricia Babb on August 21, 1965. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage filled with love and adventures.
Mac was an Eagle Scout and a volunteer firefighter for many years in Middletown, Indiana and Brownsburg, Indiana. He worked for the Middletown News and later the Indianapolis Star. During this time, he became trained as a pilot and transitioned into a career working as a corporate pilot – a job and passion that took him to many destinations. What Mac and Pat really loved, was sailing. Beginning with their first sailboat on Lake Monroe in Bloomington, Indiana, to their time spent sailing in and around Lake Michigan, to their greatest adventure of all… living aboard their boat, spending summers in the Chesapeake Bay and winters in the Bahamas, they visited wonderful destinations and made life-long friends.
In retirement, Mac loved traveling, fishing, and golfing, especially winning the Big Tuna Golf Outing. He was an active member of Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church, where he helped to implement virtual options for members to enjoy the recorded church services. Mac and Pat both enjoyed hosting and attending gatherings with beloved friends.
***************************************************************Pat was a loving and devoted wife, mother, aunt, and friend. She was born to Ernest S. Babb and Frances I. Martin on March 19, 1947, in Muncie, Indiana. Pat was a talented and supportive woman. After graduating from Burris High School in Muncie, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, MacDonald Rice, on August 21, 1965. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage filled with family, faith, love, and adventure.
Pat spent many years of her life volunteering and singing in the choir at churches in Muncie, Indiana; Brownsburg, Indiana; and Vero Beach, Florida. She was known by family and friends as an amazing cook and was also a talented seamstress and bead-artist. Pat also enjoyed crocheting blankets for the Visiting Nurse Association. She was an active member of Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir. She especially enjoyed singing in the church’s cantatas that were performed with musicians from other countries. Pat and Mac enjoyed many years of sailing together, from their first sailboat on Lake Monroe in Bloomington, Indiana, to their time sailing in and around Lake Michigan, and their greatest adventure of all – living aboard their sailboat and seeking adventure from the Chesapeake Bay to Florida and the Bahamas. They made many wonderful life-long friends on their sailing adventures and continued hosting and attending gatherings with these beloved friends even after their sailing days were finished.
They are loved and missed by many!