Mary Lou Pace, age 85, of Xenia, passed away Thursday, April 29, 2021 at her residence. She was born April 4, 1936 in Dayton, the youngest of six children born to Edward and Martha Monbeck.

After her son was killed in a tragic bicycle accident in 1973, Mary Lou opened a ceramic shop where she was able to teach people how to pour clean fire and paint with extraordinary attention to the tiny details of painting eyelashes onto the ceramics. She was inducted in the Greene County Hall of Fame and was awarded numerous awards for her time and efforts advocating for seniors in the Greene County area. She was instrumental in starting the Spring Valley Senior Citizens Center, retiring as its first Director/President. For many years, she had a weekly column featured in the Xenia Gazette, promoting health, education and safety issues. She also enjoyed spending time with family in the state of Tennessee, fishing, skiing and swimming.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Robert Ray Pace Sr.; her son: Robert Ray Pace Jr. and her siblings: Harvey Sr., Charles "Charley"; Albert; Martha "Sweetie" Hall and Edward "Eddie" Monbeck.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law: Kenneth E. and Sharon Pace of Xenia; grandchildren: Robert Charles "Bobby" (Desiree') Pace and Kenneth Orlando (Loren) Pace; great grandchildren: Jessalyn, Isabella, Kyleigh, Leland, and Sophia; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held 11 AM Monday, May 3 ^rd at Calvary Cemetery, Dayton with Pastor Dan Jordan officiating. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mccolaughfuneralhome.com.