Anne Elizabeth (Champagne) Rice, 82 of Concord passed away Thursday, October 16, 2014 surrounded by her loving family, after battling a long illness.

A lifelong resident of Concord, she was born on January 1, 1932 to Joseph D. and Helen M. (Roy) Champagne.

After graduating from Concord High School, Anne worked for New England Telephone as a secretarial stenographer until she met and married the love of her life, her beloved "Bill". They settled on Hopkinton Road where they raised their six children. Upon returning to the workforce, she worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield for ten years and retired to care for her father.

A deeply devoted Catholic, Anne had a wonderful sense of humor who loved people and treated everyone with kindness, love and respect. Her greatest gift was that of a nurturer and caregiver, not only to her family and friends, but also to those in need.

Anne loved to read, especially historical novels. Other passions included flower gardening, traveling, Hampton Beach, and spending time with family and friends. Ann and Bill spent 18 years of retirement wintering in Florida where they enjoyed many new friendships, learning new activities, and spending time together.

Her greatest joy was her six children, twelve grandchildren and spending time with her beloved sister Helen.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, "Bill"; her children William Rice and his wife Kim of Boise Idaho; Virginia Stepper and her husband Edward of Billerica, MA; James Rice and his wife Donna Lang-Rice of Bow; Andrea Doria and her husband Philip of S. Portland, ME; Jane Wells and her husband Douglas of Pembroke; Christopher Rice and his wife Patricia of Andover, MA.

Twelve grandchildren, Jennifer, William and Katie Rice; Anna and Christopher Stepper; Philip and Jimmy Doria; Christina Darling and her husband David, Tanya Robie; Nicholas, Julia and William Rice. Three step-granddaughters include Eileen Avery and her husband Anthony, Michelle Peterson and her husband John and Kristen Wells.

She leaves behind her brother Thomas Champagne and his wife Marilyn, and her sister Helen Champagne. She is predeceased by her brothers Peter and John Champagne, and sister Louise Frost.

The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to all of the caregivers from John H. Whitaker Place, Epsom Healthcare Center, the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice House for all the love, care and devotion shown to our mother during her time of need.

The family is honoring Anne's request that there will be no calling hours.

A mass celebrating her life will be held at St. John's Catholic Church, located at 67 South Main Street, Concord, NH on October 23, 2014 at 10:00am, followed by a burial service at Millville Cemetery.

Due to Anne's tremendous love for children, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN, 38105 or www.StJude.org.

Waters Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.