Leah A. (Plaud) Dupuis Rice, 71, of Hammond Street, died suddenly on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Robert C. Rice of Oxford; five children, Rich R. Dupuis of Oxford, Doreen P. Smith of North Brookfield, Robin M. LeClair of North Brookfield, Philip R. Dupuis of Oxford, and Darlene A. Dupuis of Spencer; four stepchildren, Robert C. Rice Jr. of Worcester, Rose A. Bednar of Millbury, Debra L. Duclos of Douglas, and Daniel P. Rice of Webster; a brother, Albert Plaud of Worcester; many grandchildren, including Leah Dupuis with whom she lived; many great grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters. She was born in Worcester on October 20, 1942, the daughter of the late Philip P. and Alberta M. (Cormier) Plaud, and lived in North Grafton before moving to Oxford 25 years ago.

     Mrs. Rice worked at T.J. Maxx in Worcester for 30 years. She was a member of St. Ann’s Church in North Oxford. She loved gardening and enjoyed trips to Foxwoods.

     A funeral will be held on Monday, February 3, 2014, from Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church, 652 Main St., North Oxford. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. Calling hours are Sunday, February 2, 2014, from 1-4 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942, or to the American Heart Association , P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.