Christine Rice, St. Pat’s grand marshal

Every year a grand marshal is chosen for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Glen Cove. This year, Christine Rice, director of the Glen Cove Senior Center, was chosen.
“Christine is very active in our community between the senior center and Nosh; she loves helping others in need,” Lisa Forgione, the Glen Cove parade committee chairwoman, said. “As a member of the Glen Cove Senior Center, I see first-hand how every member loves Christine. She is sweet, caring, and cares for our community.”
Rice’s roots in the Irish community run deep, as she hails from a family with a rich Irish heritage. Her grandfather, who immigrated to the United States from Ireland at the age of 13, played a pivotal role in shaping her family’s legacy. Establishing a successful construction company and later overseeing construction projects for the Archdiocese of New York, he epitomized the resilience and determination of the Irish immigrant experience.
“I’m honored that they had asked me to become the grand marshal. I really love Glen Cove,” Rice said, while reflecting on her deep connection to the city and its people.
Rice’s journey to becoming grand marshal reflects her lifelong dedication to service, especially among the senior population. Her tenure as chair of the senior center and her involvement with the SAGE foundation highlight her commitment to enhancing the lives of seniors in the community.

A lifelong resident of Garden City, Rice, the sister of U.S. Rep Kathleen Rice, has spent most of her career working not with seniors, but with children, as an elementary school teacher in the Garden City School District. Teaching was her passion, but when her mother began developing Alzheimer’s in 1995, Rice became her primary caregiver until she died in 2006. Rice said she treasured the time she spent with her mother, and the interaction between her mother and her own two children showed her the importance of bridging the gap between seniors and younger generations.
Seeking to establish connections with seniors and transform her mother’s illness into a positive endeavor, Rice joined the Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center, formerly known as the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation, in 2014. Here, she assumed the role of director of special events and community outreach. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals grappling with Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia, along with their caregivers. Over the span of five years, Rice dedicated herself to orchestrating the center’s events and fundraisers. She found profound fulfillment in witnessing those grappling with cognitive challenges delight in the events.
Despite her deep affection for her role, Rice felt compelled to seize the opportunity presented by Carol Waldman, the former director at the senior center. During her tenure at the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Center, Rice had visited the senior center as part of a tour exploring various senior facilities across Long Island. While some centers primarily offered hot lunches and bingo games, Rice found the Glen Cove center to be a vibrant hub of ongoing activity. The center’s distinctive adult day program particularly impressed Rice, prompting her to consider a shift in her career trajectory.
“More than I had already realized, it’s important to have our seniors feel cared for, loved, and safe in their older years,” Rice emphasized. “With the amount of seniors that we service, we are always looking to enhance our programs and our services.”
As grand marshal of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, Rice embodies the spirit of community and the values of resilience, compassion, and inclusion that define Glen Cove. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to service serve as an inspiration to all who know her, making her a fitting choice to lead the festivities on this special occasion.
Patricia Victoria will serve as this year’s aid to the grand marshal, which takes place on March 17, at 1 p.m. This year the parade will return to its traditional route ending outside the Church of St. Patrick, at Glen Street and Pearsall Avenue.
The after-parade party will return to St. Patrick’s Parish Hall. Parking will be available at municipal garages, and the shuttle bus will circulate through downtown.