Jennifer Nicole Rice, 33, formerly of Nashville, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 at her home in Arlington, Virginia, after battling brain cancer.
Jennifer was born in Danville, Illinois, on Nov. 14, 1984. She moved to Nashville in 1987 and attended school there until she graduated from Brown County High School in 2003.
Ever a lover of dance, Jennifer began studying when she was 8 years old. At Brown County High School, she served as captain of dance team and president of the advanced show choir, instructing others in dance lessons during her free time. Jennifer continued her passion for dance at Indiana University, designing her own degree in Latin American and Caribbean dance. She taught dance at studios in Bloomington and as an adjunct instructor at IU, then moved to Indianapolis to teach Latin dance and perform internationally as the leader of the Damas dance team.
Jennifer returned to Indiana University to complete a master’s degree in public affairs from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Shifting focus from a dancer to a policy wonk, Jennifer moved to Washington, D.C. to pursue her career and worked as a trade and industry analyst at the United States Department of Commerce.
Jennifer succeeded in living two distinct lives in drastically different fields. Jennifer’s hard work and dedication to her multiple career pursuits, hobbies, and community activities inspired many and will continue to do so. The way in which she lived her life and the people she helped along the way will allow her memory to live on.
She is survived by her fiancée, Angelo Bardales of Arlington, VA; father, George (Sherri) Rice of Nashville, IN; mother, Julie C. Harris of Charlotte, NC; brother, Chris (Elizabeth Groth) Rice of Bloomington, IN; step-siblings, Kory, Kevin (Jordan), and Kirsten McDaniel; 11 aunts and uncles; four cousins; her niece, Flora Rice; and her dog, Miguelito.
Jennifer’s life will be celebrated from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 at Riolo Dance Studio in Indianapolis.
Her family welcomes memorial contributions in Jennifer’s name to the IU Foundation SPEA Greater Good Internship Fund.
