Mayor Clayton writes a letter of mourning for the passing of Helen Rice

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Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton issued a letter Monday on behalf of the city council offering condolences on the passing of former city councilwoman Helen Rice.

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“I would like to express our deepest condolences to family, friends and all the many lives that have been touched by former Councilmember Helen Rice as the community mourns her passing,” said Clayton.

For nearly four decades, Rice served on the city council after being first elected in 1979. She also served as general manager of the Downtown Grande Prairie Association for 17 years and has been instrumental in many initiatives throughout the city. recent history of the city.

“From Muskoseepi Park to the Street Performers Festival and our local recycling programs and countless other initiatives and services in between, Grande Prairie has become the regional hub it is today because of its hard work and faith in the vision of the city, “he wrote. Clayton.

Rice retired from public service in 2017, and while Clayton acknowledges that Rice’s impact on the city itself has been immense, he was also involved in shaping the city’s community leaders.

“His personality shone with equal parts courage and grace, and it was his commitment to building personal connections, nurturing relationships, and mentoring new leaders that allowed him to make such an impact,” said Clayton.

Rice was 77 years old at the time of her passing on Sunday, and in 2017, the city council approved the motion to change the name of the plaza outside the Bonnetts Energy Center to HA Rice Plaza to commemorate her years of service to the city.

“We appreciate the indomitable spirit he has left behind and we look forward to continuing to honor him through the many lives he has touched and the stories he has passed down,” said Clayton.