Sharon Pace

She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised in Logan, Kansas. She graduated with a BA in German from Kansas University. She won a post baccalaureate scholarship that funded her graduate studies in Germany and went on to earn her MA in Art History from the University of Michigan.

In 1968, she married the love of her life, Joseph Pace, whom she met in an art class at Rhode Island School of Design, taking up residence with him in Providence’s Mount Hope neighborhood.

She taught Art and German for several years at St. Xavier’s Academy, downtown Providence, and for 36 years worked in the city as a Social Worker for Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families. She loved family, both raising her own as well as spending time with her extended family: the Finnigans of the Midwest, the Paces and Panzarellas of Providence and New York City, and the Pace-Gregorys of Hawaii. She also loved her neighbors, especially the Hector and Darigan families and her fellow members of the Gospel Choir at Holy Name Church.

She had a special place in her heart for animals and nature. She loved learning languages (German, Italian, and Spanish), singing, creating and viewing art, walking, reading, and spending time with her caregivers and family.

She was the beloved mother of Frank and Joel, grandmother of Dylan, and mother-in-law to Tahnee, and proud of their shared devotion to the arts. She had a kind word for everyone she met and would leave them with a blessing, and this time’s no different.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September 25th, at 1:30 at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, 99 Camp St., Providence. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bristol at 3:15, followed by repast at 6 PM at the Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas St., Providence.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sharon's name should be made to Paws Watch Community Cat Center, www.pawswatch.org/donate