Marci Ann (Lee) Rice , age 47 of Cicero and formerly of Elwood, passed away on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis following a very sudden illness.  Marci was born February 21, 1971 in Elwood, the daughter of Terry D. Lee and Jacqueline Ann (Nichols).  Marci currently owned and operated a premiere dog sitting and boarding business named "PUPS" (Paws Up Pet Service) for many years at her home, and also worked as a tap-dance instructor at Laura Hayden's School of Dance.  She was a 1989 graduate of Elwood Community High School where she was a cheerleader and active in band.  She later graduated from Ball State University in 1994 with a Bachelor's Degree in Geography (G.I.S.).  She married the love of her life, Matthew J. Rice on May 20, 1995, and they shared 23 years of marriage together.  Marci and Matt were members of the Cicero United Methodist Church in Cicero.  Marci was passionate about her family and her love of dogs.  She assisted several dog rescue and shelter operations around Hamilton County, and loved her own dogs very much.  She was a devoted wife and mother who truly loved caring for her family every day.  She enjoyed dancing, yoga, cooking, baking, traveling, and especially shopping.  She also enjoyed gardening, listening to and singing music with her children, and caring for her home and property.  Marci's spirit, kindness, generosity, and love of her family will never be forgotten.

Marci's family legacy includes her husband, Matthew J. Rice of Cicero; 2 beloved children, Megan E. Rice and Nicholas M. Rice both of Cicero; brother, Bryan (wife Becky) Lee of Southport; father and step-mother, Terry and Nancy Lee of Greenwood; step-father, Gary Meador (Karen Bagienski) of Elwood; 2 step-siblings, Sarah Arehart (Miles Davis) of Elwood, Jeremy Meador of Anderson; half-brother Justin Lee of Bloomington; father and mother-in-law, Paul and Sherry Rice of Florida; brothers-in-law, Paul (wife Kate) Rice of Colorado and Chris (wife Katie) Rice of Kentucky; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and extended family members.

Marci was preceded in death by her mother, Jacqueline Ann Meador; maternal grandparents, Willard and Erla Nichols; and paternal grandparents, Jerry and Jean Lee.

A funeral service celebrating Marci's life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Friday, December 28, 2018 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Byron Fritz of the Cicero United Methodist Church officiating.  Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery beside her mother.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 8 PM on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Indiana Sheltie Rescue, Inc. through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.