The death of Cincinnati's beloved Punk Rock Grandma Pat Rice was announced over the weekend. She died of cancer on May 29 at the age of 76.
She was a superfan who probably attended more music events than just about anyone and was beloved by bands and everyone in the music scene.
In a 2010 story, Music Editor Mike Breen wrote, "Rice is the kind of supporter every true artist craves — she may not have disposable income and can’t make you a star, but if she likes you she’ll be at every show, offering encouraging words and a warm hug, and not just socializing or 'making the scene.' Seeing Pat at your shows probably feels better than getting a glowing CityBeat review."
Once local musician Chris Grannen (of The Pinstripes) captured the essence of Rice’s unwavering dedication in his excellent documentary film, A Queen City Girl: The Pat Rice Story, originally a school project that you can watch below.
And Grannen recently launched a memorial page for Rice, as well as a GoFundMe.
At longlivepatrice.com, you can visit a guest book to share your own memories of Rice and read stories from others who will miss her. You can also read Grannen's full and deeply touching account of his experience with Rice, her hospice care, her death and what her life and legacy means.
The GoFundMe set up by Grannen is asking members of the music and those who knew Rice to pitch in to help cover the cost of her funeral services, burial and headstone.
To ease the financial cost of a proper memorial, Pat's existing family and friends have come forward to humbly ask the music community whom Pat supported night after night, to assist in making sure that Pat has a dignified and long lasting send-off from this life. The present plan is to lay Pat to rest along side her grandparents and parents in Cincinnati's Spring Grove Cemetery. We look to raise money to purchase a plot, a modest casket and a headstone.
It also says any money raised past the $5,000 goal will be used to create a foundation in Rice's name.
Watch A Queen City Girl: The Pat Rice Story here.
And here is a slideshow of images of narrated by Rice, not included in the documentary.
