Topsfield - Topsfield - It is with deep sadness that we announce Lauren E. (Scott) Rice of Topsfield, MA passed away at home on Monday, September 15th.

Lauren was born in Austin, Texas on January 10, 1967, and was adopted by her wonderful parents Arlon Scott and Patricia (McConnell) Scott. She grew up in Louisville, Kentucky alongside her brothers Daniel and David. Lauren had fond childhood memories of traveling to Bonnet Shores, Rhode Island in the summers to visit family. She enjoyed being part of the youth programs at Epiphany Catholic Church and developed a strong faith early in life. Lauren graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1985 and went on to study Public Relations and Sociology at Western Kentucky University. Lauren was a proud member of the Chi Omega sisterhood. After graduation, she moved to Newburyport, MA to begin her lifelong career as a caregiver, and met the love of her life Keith James Rice shortly after.

Lauren and Keith married at St. Joseph's Parish in Amesbury, MA on June 5, 1993, and shared 32 beautiful years of marriage together. They were overjoyed to welcome their children, Molly Margaret and Nolan Frederick into the family. Raising a family was the greatest joy of Lauren's life.

Over the years, Lauren applied her nurturing spirit to both her family and professional career. She served as Activities Director at Port Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center in Newburyport and volunteered at the Women and Children's Shelter in Amesbury where she supported families facing domestic violence and substance abuse issues. Recognizing her passion for education and service, Lauren earned her Master of Education degree from Lesley University while balancing the early years of motherhood. Lauren spent the next sixteen years working as an educator and was beloved by her students and colleagues. Lauren began working at SeniorCare in 2018 where she connected those in need with essential services until her last days on Earth. She loved her SeniorCare colleagues and consumers deeply. Always putting others before herself, Lauren worked tirelessly to provide a better quality of life for those around her.

Lauren's passions extended beyond her professional accomplishments. She was an incredible cook and frequently experimented with new recipes, as well as tried and true favorites. She found joy in watching her delicious creations feed the souls of her family and friends. Lauren loved animals, especially her fearless flock of backyard chickens (who she could name individually), as well as her loyal dogs Jude, Penny, and Cassie. She was an expert 500 Rummy player and consistently beat her opponents in card games, always working to perfect her strategy. Lauren had an open mind and heart. Always seeing the best in people, she remained curious and interested in learning more about the world around her through her final days.

To remember Lauren is to remember her immense strength and courage. It is to remember her fearlessness in the face of great struggle. It is to remember her devotion to others, even through her own pain. It is to remember how she fought. It is to remember her light, her warmth, her patience, her love. It is to remember the joy she spread to all who knew her.

To remember Lauren is to live each day as she would—by always giving more to the world than you take.

Lauren is survived by her husband, Keith Rice; daughter, Molly Rice and her husband Peter Prendergast; son, Nolan Rice and his partner Luciana Petcu; mothers-in-law, Patricia Rice and Alicia Rice; brothers, Daniel Scott and David Scott and his wife Mary; brothers-in-law, Jonathan Rice and his wife Chantina and Scott Rice and his wife Heather; sister-in-law, Andrea Della Valle and her husband Donald ; aunts, Kathy Nerney and her husband, Billy and Diane Cormier and her husband Al; niece, Kyra Owens-Scott; nephews, Ben Rice and his wife Tara, Glenn Rice, Nigel Rice, and Chase Owens-Scott; and many cousins and friends.

Lauren was predeceased by her parents Patricia and Arlon Scott; father-in-law Allan Rice; grandmother Gladys McConnell; aunts Sharon McConnell and Roberta Beauchamp; and her uncle John McConnell.

Lauren's funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Parish, 12 Park Street Topsfield, MA on September 26th, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, on September 25th, from 4 to 7 p.m. Per Lauren's wishes, the burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lauren's memory to SeniorCare to support efforts to help older adults face the challenges of aging. SeniorCare, 49 Blackburn Center, Gloucester, MA 01930 or at www.seniorcareinc.org. All gifts are tax-deductible as permitted by law.

Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.