Margaret "Patty" Rice Stout died peacefully in her Shelburne, Vermont, home on December 16, 2023. She was surrounded by loving family and friends. She was 86 years old.

Patty lived an incredible and vibrant life. She enjoyed 65 years of marriage to her devoted husband, Prentice, and enjoyed time with her sons, their families, and her many friends. Patty was a gifted musician, a lover of natural history, a voracious reader, and a world traveler. Those who knew her were blessed to know a wonderful wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Patty loved to travel with Prentice. Together, they explored the world and embarked on intriguing voyages to Africa, the Galápagos Islands, Antarctica, and most of Europe. She and Prentice instilled their love of travel, music and theater in their sons and grandchildren, bringing them along on international trips and regularly taking them to New York City for concerts and shows on Broadway.

As a musician, she taught piano lessons to many children, accompanied numerous talented musicians, attended countless concerts, and spread her love and passion for music of all kinds. During her time in Wakefield, Rhode Island, she helped found the Kingston Chamber Music Festival, now in its 35th year. She was also well known in the Kingston community for her musical events, particularly the beloved holiday caroling she and Prentice hosted for many years.

Patty was born in Asheville, North Carolina, in 1937. She attended the Tenacre School in Wellesley, Massachusetts and Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut. She enjoyed most summers at her family's home at Jockey Hill Farm in Shrewsbury, Vermont.

Patty married Prentice Stout in 1955 and they raised their family in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Ultimately, the family settled in Wakefield, Rhode Island where they lived for nearly 50 years. After raising her sons, Patty attended the University of Rhode Island where she graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with honors.

In September 2021, Patty moved from Rhode Island to Shelburne, Vermont where she became a beloved member of the Wake Robin community. For the past two years, Patty enjoyed the many new friends she made at Wake Robin and thrived by participating in various activities available to her. The dynamic cultural scene in Burlington and the proximity to her son Tim and his wife, Nan, made the last two years of Patty's life comfortable, active, and surrounded by love.

Patty is survived by her sons, Christopher K. Stout (Lisa) of Tiverton, Rhode Island, Timothy M. Stout (Nan) of Burlington, Vermont, her beloved grandchildren, Alison Stout, Emily Stout (Josh Creaser), Eliza Yashari (Jonathan), and Charlie Stout (Sarah), and two great-grandchildren, Abe and Faye Yashari. She is also survived by her brother, David Rice (Dorothy) and sister-in-law, Meredith Stout. She was an inspiration to all and will be greatly missed.

Donations in Patty's honor can be made to the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale, the Kingston Chamber Music Festival, the Kingston Congregational Church (Rhode Island), or to Pierce's Store via the Preservation Trust of Vermont. A celebration of life for Patty and Prentice will be held at a later date in Kingston, Rhode Island.