PROSPECT HARBOR — Sylvia Grace (Rice) Green left this earth early Wednesday morning, May 30, 2012, at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. She was born Jan. 16, 1941, to Malcolm and Judith (Dyer) Rice in Birch Harbor at her family home.

She lived many places, but her heart always belonged in Downeast Maine, as well as her fondest memories. She studied genealogy and found great excitement and had great knowledge of the descendants of the family. She worked very hard at it and has quite a collection of her hard efforts with many photographs and family trees. Wherever Sylvia (aka Snoodie) went, she would find someone to talk with. She loved to talk to people and loved to make baby quilts for anyone she knew that was having a baby. She truly was a giver with her gifts and of her spirit.

She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 43 years, James “Jim” Green, of Prospect Harbor. They married and merged both families and raised them as their own. Surviving are James Jr., of Swords Creek, Va., Michael and his wife, Pat, of Pickerington, Ohio, Alice Montgomery of Missouri, Thomas and his wife, Eleanor, of Apex, N.C., Donald Peterson, also of Apex, N.C., Robin Peterson-Lewis and her husband, John, of Belfast, and Penny Dwelley and her husband, David, of Vassalboro, along with many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also, surviving are her siblings, sister and husband, Neta and David Phaneuf, of Gouldsboro and Florida, and brother and his wife, Malcolm “Mike” and Sharon Rice, of Palm Bay, Fla. She leaves behind all of her special nieces and nephews, along with her many grandnieces and nephews, whom she truly loved. She was predeceased by both her parents; a sister and brother-in-law, Maxine and Armand Carrier; and numerous aunts and uncles. Actually, she could probably tell you better, with her genealogy trivia. Eva Hopkins from Franklin, a very dear friend of hers, also passed previously.

Sylvia had friends wherever she went. There are too many to name, but you all know who you were. She enjoyed all her conversations wherever she went. Her failing health kept her from doing all that she wanted, but she found great joy in the comforts of her own home and spending time with Jim, cooking, doing genealogy and doing crafts and making baby quilts. She always seemed to keep busy. We will miss her deeply.

Thanks to all the community support and words of encouragement during this difficult time. Special thanks to the staff at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital and to Lisa and Jason Tracey for all that they did for our parents. We couldn’t have asked for better neighbors for them, especially because family wasn’t near.

Visiting hours will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 8, 2012, at the Milbridge chapel of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at Birch Harbor Baptist Church, with a graveside committal to follow at the Birch Harbor Cemetery. Following the committal, there will be a gathering back at the church for those who would like to visit and share stories. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food bank. Heartfelt thanks from her family. Arrangements by Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Milbridge.