Mary Ann Barbie-Rice passed away May 13, 2021. Mary Ann, beloved wife, mother, sister, teacher, and friend was born May 21, 1949, to Alvin and Anabelle (Pettapiece) Barbie. After graduating from Inverness High School, she pursued higher education, graduating from Montana State University-Bozeman in 1971 with a broad field art teaching degree. She later went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Computers in Education.
Mary Ann inspired hundreds of students to foster a love of art and self-expression during a 40-year teaching career. She started teaching in Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska before moving to Helena, Mont., where she taught at Helena Middle School for 26 years and Capital High School for 10 years until retiring. Students chose her as their Distinguished Educator for the Helena Education Foundation’s Celebration of Excellence in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Mary Ann pieced together brilliant, colorful stained glass works. Her creativity spilled over into her cooking, table settings, home decor, and — most of all — her garden. She used her summers to raise an abundance of flowers, vegetables, and fruits. She never counted but believed she had over 80 flowerpots throughout her yard. She loved to read. Most of all she loved camping and traveling with her husband Steve.
Mary Ann’s spirit and verve live on in her family, friends and students. Survivors include her husband Steve Rice; daughter Ashley Zuelke (Ryan Nalty); mother Anabelle Barbie; sisters Jo Barbie and Jeanie Belgarde; brothers Bill Barbie (Cathy) and Larry Barbie; sister-in-law Stanleigh Barbie; brother-in-law Robert Rice Jr. (Lynn); aunt- and uncle-in-law Shirley and Jim Rice Sr.; nephews and nieces Danny, Patrick, Kris, Pam, Aaron, Pete, Josh, Scott, and Joe; and numerous great nieces and nephews, close cousins and their children.
She was preceded in death by her father Alvin and brothers, Allen and Lyle.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 5th at First Assembly of God Church (Helena First). Mary Ann was honored to donate to several organizations and charities annually. Donations in her memory are encouraged Helena Food Share, P.O. Box 943, Helena, MT 59624-0943or the Helena Education Foundation at hefmt.org.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday June 5, 2021
Helena First Assembly of God
2210 Dodge Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Memorial Service
Saturday June 5, 2021
Helena First Assembly of God
2210 Dodge Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
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Vonnie Evans says
Steve,Ashley., Jo, Family of Maryann,
I am so blessed as well as my family for having Maryann be part of our lives for many years. Like so many others she has deeply touched us and will remain in our hearts always. With love, Vonnie Don Chad Heidi Luke
Staci says
Deeply sorry for your loss. Maryanne always had such a lovely smile and twinkle in her eye.
I am so happy that you guys have gotten so close to the folks during their move to Helena. Hugs to you all.
Staci and Rob Hill
Terri Norman says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Steve, Ashley and the rest of the family. I had the privilege and honor to know Mary Ann as a colleague and friend through our years of teaching at Helena Middle School and Capital High School. Mary Ann was always a kind, caring and extremely supportive mentor in my life. She not only supported me, but taught my husband in middle school and also supported and encouraged my son’s activities through Special Olympics over the years. She was a classy lady with a heart of gold. She will be truly missed!
Terri, Ben, and Kyle Norman
Janice Glass says
Mary Ann was such a sweet, supportive colleague when I was a para at HMS. She treated me with respect which isn’t always the case. I am so sorry for your loss.
Donna Hathy says
My heart goes out to Steve and Ashley. I knew Mary Ann as a parent when Ashley was in my second grade class. Then she and I got our Master’s degrees in from Lesley University together. She was a very special lady and I will miss her. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Denise Wolf says
So very sorry to hear of Mary Ann’s passing. She and I formed a friendship when I owned the Real Deals Home Decor store. She always made my day with her smile! Such a kind soul! Sending much love to her family!!
Glen says
I am so sorry for your loss… Mary Ann was such a guiding light for me as as new teacher at HMS and as a friend .. Sending you all love!!!!
Kristin Basinger says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Ashley & Steve and the rest of the family. I was so sad to learn of Mary Ann’s passing. She taught my daughter Heather at HMS, Then we got our Masters Degree from Leslie College together.
The last 10 years of her teaching career was spent at Capital High School which is where I developed a fond friendship with her. Mary Ann always had a smile and a twinkle in her eye. I loved visiting her in the summer and greatly enjoyed her beautiful flowers and awesome garden. She was a very special lady with a kind and gentle spirit and will be greatly missed.
Matthew says
Mrs. Barbie-Rice was the greatest teacher I had ever had throughout my school career and my absolute favorite. She is the reason why I followed my passion into professional graphic design. I still think about her classes often, the friends I made in them, and the after school sessions she would host for me where I could try out new mediums and get the 1-on-1 guidance and insight. I am forever grateful for the impact she made in my life, and for that I can’t say ‘thank you’ enough. She is truly missed.
Cindy Galbavy says
Steve and Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Mary Ann was a very talented woman who will be missed by everyone that she met. Our Deepest sympathy.
Cindy and Chad Galbavy
Paul Goodman says
Mary Ann slipped into our lives quietly and without fanfare but the more we knew of her and Steve and daughter, Ashley, the greater our appreciation. What an amazing, gracious lady. The impact of her life was gentle but unforgettable. We miss her at Helena First, but her influence lives on.
Pastor Paul Goodman
Anna says
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. She was one of my favorite teachers and I have always appreciated the love for art that she demonstrated and fostered in me.
Mandi Pershall says
Seeing this announcement today tore my heart in half, Mary Anne was my art teacher for 4 years at Capital High and she was my main influence in art. She maintained a relationship with me outside of the school as years continued to move forward. Last December I challenged myself to wildlife realism art and sent her one of my finished portraits to find she was still as enthusiastic about my artistic accomplishments as she was when I was her student. I will forever cherish her memory in my heart and will keep her family deep in my prayer. May the lord rest his healing hand upon you and greet her with open arms.
Aaron Williams says
I am very sad to hear of her passing. Mrs. Barbie-Rice was by far my favorite teacher. She would let me draw outside the lines and treated me with nothing but reapect. I will always remember her as the teacher who understood me. Hugs to her family and to all the life’s she touched.
Lynn Hanson says
She was a great friend and felt like a sister for over 49 years. I will truly miss her.!!! She always talked about her retirement years. Felt like she was cheated out on that. She touched many lives!! Thank you Steve for being a great husband to her. And so sorry Ashley you are so young to loose your mother. Bless you. Both. Hugs to you!!
Rebecca Wells says
It so hurts my heart to see this announcement. Mrs. Barbie-Rice was by far my favorite teacher and had a huge impact on my life. High school was a hard time, but in her classroom I always felt accepted, encouraged and special. She had such a kind heart and always cheered on her students and pushed them to grow in their art. Her influence and instruction helped me to become a professional artist. Prayers and thoughts go out to all her family and friends. She touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed.
Janice (Mangold) Hoppes says
Sending sincere condolences to Mary Ann’s family and friends. We grew up together in our little town of Inverness and shared many memories as we progressed through our school years. I always enjoyed Mary Ann and am blessed to have had her in my life.
Gail Graham says
Mary Ann was a true friend of mine. I so enjoyed teaching Art with her at HNS. Our adjoining doors were always open. We shared so many fun times together. I will miss her beautiful spirit.
I’m so sorry for your loss Ashley and Steve and everyone who loved Mary Ann like I did.
Rest In Peace my beautiful friend!
Terri Luft says
My thoughts go out to your family and to all the other lives you touched and made a difference in.
I will miss seeing you at Rock Hand and visiting about Amy.
You will always have a special place in my heart I will miss you dearly.
Terri luft
Ronald R Shields says
Steve: are prayers and support in these times are with you. In the name of our LORD Jesus Christ. Ron and Addie
Leah Linkenbach says
I had Mary Ann for an art teacher in middle school. Throughly enjoyed her and learned so much. I had run into her throughout the years and she always stopped to say hi. Stained glass will forever remind me of her, and also anytime I have done watercolor, I hear her reminding me to erase my pencil lines. She will be missed.
Dick McMahon says
My thoughts and prayers to Steve, Ashley, and all who were so fortunate to know this special woman. Seeing Mary Anne and Steve in the neighborhood was always a treat and is something I
missed the most when we moved out of Sunhaven. I have many fond memories of projects we collaborated on and laughs we shared at HMS and could never repay her for always allowing me to borrow any and all she had. I still have and use the MC Esher video that she loaned me year after year, and finally gave me when she retired. My students will watch if tomorrow.
Carol Hanel says
Steve, Ashley and family ~ prayers and sympathy to all of you. MaryAnn was the kindest, sweetest, most caring, thoughtful and classiest lady I have ever known. I feel so blessed to have been so fortunate to be her next door neighbor for 27 years. I liked her the first time I met her and loved and appreciated her more every day. She was an amazing lady and like a sister to me. She was like a mentor to me. I miss her and always will. Rest In Peace sweet MaryAnn
Coleen and Mike says
Steve,Ashley, Jo and family prayers are with you , so sorry for your loss. I will be lost without her , I tried to call her every week. She was a great beautiful friend . We are all here for you She will be missed
Melba Berg says
Mary Ann we shared a friendship of many years…. The memories live on…. Namaste
Rest In Peace 
My sincere condolences to Steve,Ashley,Family and Friends
James Rehbein says
I am sorry to hear about her passing. I give my heart felt sorry for ur loss. She was a great teacher in his. She will be missed. I remember her around school and I may have even been in her class. She will always be one of the great teachers that both the middle and high schools have had the chance to learn from her. It is always hard for kids that had her as teacher to find out thst she has passed away. My heart goes out to your family. She truly was a great teacher to have been around.
James Rehbein says
I am sorry to hear about her passing. I give my heart felt sorry for ur loss. She was a great teacher in his. She will missed by all from both schools. I new her from middle school and she was a great person to meet.
marcus belgarde says
i will miss u aunt mary ann