Keith (as she was known to everyone) was born in Edgefield, SC on 13 August 1947 to Thomas DeSaussure Furman and Harriet Adams Mims Furman. Keith grew up in Gainesville, FL where her father was a professor at the University of Florida. She attended elementary and high school in Gainesville. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Lander College in Greenwood, SC and a Bachelor of Science in Land Surveying from the University of Florida. While at the University of Florida, she met Chester A. Rice, a Naval Officer. They were married on 23 February 1980 at her parent’s home in Gainesville. The two shared a wonderful life together both in the Navy and later after Chester’s retirement in 1998 when Maine became home. They lived in exciting places, traveled to even more, and Keith made lifelong friends wherever she went. Her friends describe their love for her with comments such as: “we have been friends in sunshine and shade,” “an absolute jewel in the crown,” ” a wonderful source of joy and inspiration,” “easy to admire, I am lucky to have known you,” “a friend who loves at all times,” “a loyal and loving sister.” She kept a few favorite quotes on her dresser from Randy Pausch, an inspirational Carnegie Mellon professor, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2008: ” Always Have Fun, Dream Big, Ask For What You Want, Dare To Take A Risk, Look For The Best In Everybody, Make Time For What Matters.” A bright and good light has gone from our lives. Anyone who knew Keith was the better for having the opportunity to know her. Keith was a marvelous cook, enjoyed entertaining, loved to sew and quilt, enjoyed her gardens, an avid reader, and enjoyed Sudoku puzzles. She was a member of the local chapter of G.R.I.T.S (Girls Raised in the South), life member of the Navy League, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Keith is survived by her husband, Chester of Bowdoinham, her brother Thomas DeSaussure Furman, Jr. and family of Concord, MA, her sister Susan F. Kohout and family of Clemson, SC and her brother Richard Adams Furman and family of Gainesville, FL.
Keith’s ashes will be scattered on the grounds of her beloved ‘ forever house,’ Serenity, in Bowdoinham, home since 2009 and on Merrymeeting Bay which she fell in love with when she and Chester were stationed at the former Naval Air Station, Brunswick, in the early 1980s.
A celebration of Keith’s life, in lieu of a church service, will be scheduled at an appropriate date after the New Year. Keith would be honored to have you support with your resources, either volunteer time or money, the hospice services provided by Chans Homehealthcare of Brunswick (www.chanshomehealthcare.com), who provided such attentive professional palliative care. A special thank you to Crystal Austin, Hospice nurse, for her love, support, and care during Keith’s illness and to Karen Carlisle, Hospice social worker, for her support of Chester.
Arrangements are under the care of Kincer Funeral Home 130 Pleasant St. Richmond, ME 04357.
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