RICE, Miriam Amalia (Mimi)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Thursday, January 17, 2013 Miriam Amalia Rice passed away in Arenas de San Pedro, Spain on Sept. 12, 2012. "Mimi" attended Prescott High School from 1965 to 1967, and had lived in Spain since 1970, where she was a large animal veterinarian, singer, gardener, dedicated mother, and much loved friend and colleague. After earning her veterinary degree in Madrid, Miriam spent 30 years criss-crossing the mountains and valleys around rural Arenas in her sturdy Toyota truck, caring for horses, sheep and fighting bulls. It was quite a sight to see her with her long, blonde hair flying, working with the conservative, traditional livestock owners of the Gredos Mountains. They loved and respected her for her professional work and her accepting nature. Losing her has left a large hole in their hearts. Mimi often drove long distances to sing the blues with several bands in Madrid and around Arenas. In her community, she was a leader in the "slow food" movement, supporting local agriculture in and around her village, having founded one of the first organic bakeries in Spain years earlier. Mimi was born on Nov. 10, 1949, in Altadena, Calif., to Erwin Glover Rice and Maria Amalia Garcia Moreno Rice. Erwin passed away in Prescott in 1999, and Amalia now lives in San Mateo, Calif., where she is near her grown children, Victor, Maziebelle, Jaime and Marisa. Miriam's twin daughters, Maria Amalia and Teresa Adela Gonzalez Rice, reside in Spain. A celebration of Mimi's life took place on Sept. 14, 2012, in Arenas de San Pedro, attended by many local friends, colleagues and neighbors who spoke of her generous spirit and tireless commitment to her work and their community. Information provided by survivors.