Sandra L. (Cook) Rice

Sandra L. (Cook) Rice, age 75, a long-time resident of Wilmington, passed away on August 28, 2023.

On the 12th of September 1947, Sandra (“Sandy”) was one of seven children born to Lawrence and Helen (Whitman) Cook, in Natick Massachusetts. 

Sandy was truly a unique soul - from a young age and into her twilight years, Sandy could always be counted on to bring laughter and joy wherever she went - making new friends along the way. Sandy was the kind of woman who was never above participating in a spontaneous food fight.

A lifelong homemaker, Sandy enjoyed time spent with the people she loved, rarely ever missing a family gathering. An avid baker of delicious treats, Sandy would arrive at birthday parties, summer BBQs, and holidays with her husband in tow carrying trays of cheesecake and brownie bites for all to enjoy. When she wasn’t hard at work in her kitchen, Sandy could often be found tending to her Koi fish, as well as her numerous aquariums and flower beds - hobbies she enjoyed for decades. 

Knowing love when she found it, Sandy - despite her young age, married her high school sweetheart - Elwin - who remained by her side for the past 57 years through life’s ups and downs - from the day they met until the moment she was finally called upon to “return home.” 

Sandy and Elwin were truly meant for one another - as if by fate. It was not uncommon to find the two of them roaming all over New England in search of a decent lobster roll, or flying kites on a windy day, or to just watch the landscape scroll by. The love between Sandy and her husband was an inspiration to everyone who knew them. Together, they raised four children - tragically losing their eldest son Michael to a canoeing accident in 1985. 

Sandy was predeceased by her parents - Lawrence and Helen, eldest son Michael, three brothers - William, David, and Richard, and sister-in-law Sandra Cook. 

Surviving relatives include her husband Elwin, three children: Kristen Reilly & her husband Matt of Lowell, Heidi Hourihan & her fiancee Geoff Chappell of New Braunfells, TX, and Charles Rice & his wife Jennifer of Wilmington, Grandchildren Katti Thereault & her husband David, James Reilly, Tyler Veiga & his fiancée Cynthia Chestnut, Elizabeth Hamel & her partner Elijah Hyde, Michael Hourihan, Annabelle Chappell, Trevor Chappell, Emma Chappell, and Dante Segal.  Four siblings; Carol Burkentine & her husband Chuck of Chambersburg, PA, Lawrence Cook & his wife Valerie, Debra DiFino all of MA, sister-in-law Mary Cook of Norton, and Dori Osborne & her husband Ed of Englewood, FL. Sandy is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather for Visitation at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Saturday, September 9th from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. immediately followed by a Funeral Service at 12:30 p.m.  Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.