Maria L. Pace

Maria L. (DiBacco) Pace, 87, of Rocky Hill, beloved wife of the late Ezio Pace, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Born in Pratola Peligna, province of L’Aquila, Italy on October 28, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Angelo and Anna (DeChellis) DiBacco. Maria came to the U.S. in 1957. She and Ezio were married in 1961 and settled in the South End of Hartford to raise their family. She devoted her life to her home and her family.

A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Maria will be forever missed by her three children, Mario Pace and wife Kris, Marco Pace and Lucia Pace and partner Brett Best; two adored granddaughters, Amanda Clay and husband Keva and Alexandra Pace and partner Noah Thulen, and her cherished great-granddaughter, Jordyn Clay. She is also survived by two brothers, John DiBacco and wife Angela and Aldo DiBacco and one sister, Gina D’Alessandro; her in-laws, Ivana DiMattia, Lucia DiPelino and Enzo Pace, as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family members. Special thanks to Catalina Rojas for her care and companionship.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Church of St. Josephine Bakhita Parish, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. To share a memory of Maria, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com