Marjorie Pace

Marjorie Green Pace passed away peacefully on Monday, the 10th of December 2012 after a brief battle with cancer. She leaves behind her daughters Anne McAdams and Jane Silak, her son-in-law Don McAdams, her former son-in-law John Silak, her grandchildren Angela Silak, Emmy Silak, Laura McAdams, and Hanna McAdams, and her great-granddaughter Lea Garcia. She is also survived by her sister Evelyn Baldwin, and her cousins Walter Hillsman and Roger Hillsman.

Margie was born on the 11th of September 1929 in Dallas, Texas. Following graduation from high school, she attended Texas Christian University, where she was elected Freshman Queen. In 1947, she married J. Ray Pace, Jr. and moved to Houston. In 1954, the family moved to Venezuela after Humble Oil Company transferred J. Ray to Creole Petroleum Company. The next 13 years in Venezuela were among the best of Margie’s life. There she raised her daughters, enjoyed strong friendships, and experienced adventures she would remember fondly for years. It was in Venezuela that she, along with her beloved friend and partner Ouida Boutte, became a formidable duplicate bridge player, eventually earning the title of Life Master, and developed her lifelong love of golf.

In 1967, the family moved back to the U.S., where Margie finished her education, earning a B.A. in psychology and M.Ed. in counselor education from the University of Houston. At age 48, Margie became a single woman again and bravely forged her way back into the work force. She was soon appointed assistant to Louie Welch, former Mayor and President of the Houston Chamber of Commerce, a position she held for 10 years. She then became assistant to Jack Blanton, President of the Scurlock Foundation, and remained in that position for 11 years before she retired. During that time, she was also an active member and leader in the Houston Chapter of Executive Women International.

In her free time, Margie enjoyed making trips to Louisiana with her best friend Helen Welch to play the nickel slots, and attending sporting events. She was an avid sports fan who loved the Rockets, Astros, Oilers, and Texans. She also dearly loved and doted on her pets. But her greatest priority and joy in life was her family, especially her grandchildren.

Margie was full of warmth, humor and grace, a loyal, empathetic, and trustworthy confidant to her family and to the host of friends she made during her lifetime. A genuinely good and caring person, Margie brought joy into the lives of literally everyone she met. She was also witty and irreverent—so much fun to be around and to laugh with. She will be dearly missed by her family and the many who loved her.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock this afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the 16th of December, in the Drawing Room of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The funeral service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 17th of December, in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 5501 Main Street in Houston, where Rev. Jerry Western is to officiate.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests contributions in memory of Mrs. Pace be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2242 W. Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, and the donation marked as being specifically designated for research.