Olga Skantar Rice — mother, teacher and artist — died on July 15, 2026. She would have been 102 years old on July 29.

Olga was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1924, the only girl of five children born to Maria and George Skantar. Maria and George emigrated from Slovakia to the United States in the early 20th century. George worked in the steel industry; Maria raised their children in a close-knit community of fellow immigrants. They lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s, when many families struggled to survive. Olga was imbued with the urge to succeed in the world. Her parents supported her as she made salutatorian at her high school graduation, followed by a degree in business administration and art from Duquesne University in 1946.

After college, Olga corresponded with H. Vincent Rice, a Navy signalman who served seven years in World War II. She met Vince through a Catholic network, then invited him out East to meet her family. Vince was born and grew up in Livingston, Montana. Eastern city girl met Western boy, and they married before Maria died in 1949. Afterward, Olga and Vince started their married life in Bozeman, Montana, where Vince earned his engineering degree. The family moved across the country several times with Vince’s work at Western Electric. Olga became accustomed to packing; unpacking; then setting up a new home in another new place. All told, Olga bore nine living children.

The Rice family’s final stop — and the community that knows Olga best — was in Kansas City, Missouri. The family attended church and school at St. Catherine’s, where Olga taught 4th and 5th grades, then served as vice-principal. She encouraged her children to read and explore. Learning was important as a measure of one’s curiosity and zeal for life. Those who keep learning adapt to a changing world.

After retiring from St. Catherine’s after 17 years, Olga dove head-first into being an artist. With retirement her blank canvas, Olga took courses on oil painting, pastels, acrylics and more. She was a featured artist with Images II, a midtown art gallery / cooperative. Olga also was an active member of the National League of American Pen Women, a group that promotes the growth of women artists, writers and composers. Olga created over 200 works of art during the 1980s and 90s. But she also spent time and energy mentoring others.

Faith in God and abiding hope were vital to Olga. Hers was an expansive view that kept growing as she depicted the beauty and mystery of life. A breast-cancer survivor, Olga knew how unpredictable life could be. She reminded us that we need one another to weather illness, change, and death. Olga would want her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to know that they are singular, brilliant strokes from the very brush of God. All are meant to live fully and without fear.

Olga is preceded in death by her husband, H. Vincent Rice, and her son, Thomas Rice. Also, her brothers: John Drabisin from Maria’s first marriage, George Skantar, Mike Skantar, Frank Skantar and Elmer Skantar.

She is survived by her adult children — Mike Rice, Blanche McWilliams, Pat Rice (and wife Chris), Joe Rice, Greg Rice (and wife Jan), Jerry Rice (and wife Jennifer), Mary Andrews (and husband Mark). Olga left 16 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren to continue her legacy of creativity and curiosity.