13-Month-Old Parker Rice Dies While Waiting For New Heart

EVERGREEN PARK — Parker Faye Rice, the little fighter who had undergone six heart surgeries, died on Feb. 17 while waiting for a new heart at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Patch profiled 13-month-old Parker's story on Feb. 3. The baby’s grandmother, Carol Masterson, told Patch of Parker’s passing last week, but her death was announced publicly on Monday by Curley Funeral Home in Chicago Ridge.

The 13-month-old girl was born Dec. 23, 2019, with a number of rare congenital heart defects. Parker was the daughter of lifelong Evergreen Park residents Matt and Kelly Rice, who never left their little girl’s side.

The family was able to celebrate Parker’s first birthday in December, but then Parker developed a fever and went back into Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn. She was transferred to Lurie. Doctors there informed Matt and Kelly that their daughter would need a new heart.

"She's been happy since the day she was born," her grandmother Carol Masterson told Patch. "She talks with her eyes and face, and smiles all the time. There is always a big smile through the tubes."

Her parents were encouraged when Parker started playing with her toys again. She loved watching Koo Koo Chins and trolls on YouTube. When asked her how big she was, Parker would hold out her arms. On Feb. 6, she was placed on the list to receive a new heart.

Friends organized a GoFundMe campaign to help Matt, an Illinois State Trooper, and Kelly, a Chicago Public Schools teacher, with medical expenses. Parker was embraced by the South Side community and the online campaign raised over $76,000.

Visitation for Parker will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Curley Funeral Home, 6116 W. 111th St., Chicago. Please observe COVID-19 protocol by wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing. Online condolences for Parker’s family may be left on the funeral home’s website. #ParkerStrong