Maggie L. (Harrison) Rife
December 24, 1934 - October 16, 2021
Maggie L. (Harrison) Rife, age 86, of New Castle, DE, passed peacefully at her home on Saturday, October 16, 2021, the day that would have been her 60th wedding anniversary.
Born on Christmas Eve, 1934 in Marion, VA, Maggie was a daughter of the late Edgar and Agnes M. (Harrison) Hamby. She spent much of her remarkable life as a homemaker extraordinaire. Together with her husband Charlie she built a family of eight children, 14 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. A loving, courageous, faith focused woman, Maggie’s world centered on her family. She molded young minds, mended scraped knees, bolstered dampened spirits, reigned-in rambunctious teenagers, prepared and pushed her children and grandchildren into the unknowns of adulthood, and ultimately guided dozens of hearts and souls through decades of life. She lived her life selflessly, gracefully, and with gratitude. Maggie loved greatly and generously. And she was beloved in equal measure.
In addition to her parents, Maggie was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Charlie” Rife, Sr.; grandson, Robert Charles Yingling; and her siblings, Norma Board and James Hamby. She is survived by her children, Ron Sr. and Buddy Yingling, Patty Kalmbacher, Charles Rife Jr., Diane Bender, Dale Rife, Ron Jr. and Sandy Yingling; sister, Francis “Aunt Frankie” Brown; grandchildren, Lisa, Faith Ann, Nicole, Rebecca, Matthew, Leah, Morgan, Mo, Rachel, Luke, Katelyn, Joanna, Nathan, and Heather; and great grandchildren, Michael, Chelsi, Allie, Gunner, Preston, Ryleigh, Adrianna, Jaden, Rylee, Autumn, Hailey, Aubrey, Courtney, Eddie, Christopher, Anthony, Ryan, Natalia, Jaxson, and Finnlee; and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Monday, October 25, 2021, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Face coverings will be required for all those in attendance not immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine per the Governor of Delaware. Interment will be held in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE.
Sue Bastin
To all you guys my deepest sympathies….what a great lady!! I was my honor to have known her at all! My heart goes out to you guys, I am hoping all those happy memories and each other are a great comfort to you all.
Virginia Gesner
So very sorry for your loss of your Mother she was a wonderful person and Mother God bless all of you from myself and my sons Richard,Bill,Tom and Ginny Gesner Blessings
Paul Rife and Easter and family.
Maggie was a hero of faith to all around her. She was truly a blessing to our family, her children grandchildren and great grandchildren. She truly is the woman of Proverbs 31. Praying for all family and friends love you all wish could be there sending prayers and our love to all. God bless you and grace for today and days ahead.
Wilma Stacy
Love Maggie. I know she is in better place
Barb Patton
What a beautiful obituary! She had an amazing beautiful life, to go with an amazing beautiful woman! All my love to you all!
Jody Baron
To Maggies entire family from ours – we are sorry for your loss. She is and surely will be missed .
George, Cheyenne, Brian and me.
Leah Reynolds
Dear Patty, I am so very sorry for the loss of your mother. My deepest condolences to you and your family during this time.
THE PALMER FAMILY
We are sorry for your loss. May you take comfort in loving memory and the friends and family that surround you.
Sherry Bender
So sorry for your loss, Sending prayers to Diane and her family. Losing a Mother is very hard . God Bless Everyone
Connie Lawson
Buddy and family I am so sorry for the loss of your mother, grandmother.
Kevin Sullivan
Eight children. That is leaving a legacy. Warm regards to Dale and the extended family. Please remember the good times.
Debbie Sandy
RIP Aunt Maggie. Love & miss you.
Love,
Debbie, Wally &Dakota Sandy
Osborne Rita
Loved Aunt Maggie. Hugs to you all. Lots of great memories.
Debi Rucker
I’m so sorry to hear of Mrs. Rice’s passing. She not only was the Matriarch of the family, she was also a mom to all of the kids in the neighborhood. She was always so kindhearted and soft spoken. I will always have fond memories of her.
As for her passing on her Anniversary… sounds like she had a hot date with Mr. Rife!! Love you all ❤️
Carol A Bourdon
I’m so sorry I never got to meet your Mom but I feel like I know her so well through all the stories shared by Patty. I’m grateful for the peace she will now have with the Lord and those she loved who have gone before her. She is not gone, just away and one day you will all be reunited. Sending everyone a big hug for peace.
Darlene Jones
I am a friend of Diane’s and want to send my love and prayers for their tremendous loss. My prayers are with her family.
God Bless
Darlene Jones