In Memory: Anne Rice Berntsen, Age 93
Anne Rice Berntsen, born August 11, 1927, in Wenham, MA, the daughter of Neil W. Rice and Emma Mandell Rice, died peacefully in Connecticut at the Greenwich Hospital on December 27, 2020, at the age of 93 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. She is survived by three children (Carl A. III, Thomas S., and Elise B. Stanbury), a son-in-law (John B. Stanbury Jr), daughter-in-law (Martha Graulty Berntsen) four grandchildren (Alexander & Christopher Berntsen and Benjamin & Geoffrey Stanbury), a granddaughter-in-law (Amy Reck Stanbury) and two great grandchildren (Wesley B. and Madeline C. Stanbury). Her fourth child, Douglas E., predeceased her as did her husband of nearly 50 years.
A 1945 graduate of The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY, Anne attended Wheaton College before marrying Carl A. Berntsen Jr, a Navy Doctor, in Hamilton, MA, in a blizzard on January 10, 1948. After a few years living in CA and NYC, the family moved to Rye, NY, where Anne remained for 70 years. An active community member, she worked tirelessly on projects with The Little Garden Club of Rye, Rye Town Park and Christ’s Church. As a past director in The Garden Club of America, Anne particularly enjoyed working with their internship program.
Throughout her life, Anne was a great support to her children and grandchildren and enjoyed the company of many friends. She excelled in athletic pursuits. She grew up riding horses with her parents, was an excellent tennis player, swimmer, golfer and beautiful skier. She especially loved to travel, first with husband Carl, and later with companion Hans E. Hopf. Meeting people, walking and skiing in new environs, and learning histories and customs brought life-long satisfaction.
Anne enjoyed many memberships including Manursing Island, Apawamis, Addlepate Ski, American Yacht Club, Amateur Ski Club of NY and Colony Club. She was an active parent volunteer at Midland School and Rye Country Day School, and put up with the mayhem of neighborhood children assembling in her backyard field or ‘mountain’.
Because of the Pandemic, the family has postponed any service. Memorial donations may be made to The Garden Club of America (Attn: Alison Dolack, c/o Jennifer Barnette, 575 Main Street #605, New York, NY 10044) or The Nature Conservancy (Attn: Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203). Anne’s infectious laugh and sparkling blue eyes will be missed by many.
