Obit of Pace, Helen C - Pontotoc County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Rita Floyd 12 Sep 2010 Return to Pontotoc County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pontotoc/pontotoc.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::NOT LISTED Ada Evening News, Ada, OK, Pontotoc County Thursday, February 5, 2009 HELEN C. PACE Chatham, NY. Helen C. Pace passed away on January 12, 2009, with her beloved husband of 62 years at her side. One of seven children born to Mable Riddle Crabtree who was a piano teacher in Ada for 65 years, she was born on September 26, 1924 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was a scholarship student at Juilliard School of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree (1948). She subsequently graduated from Teachers College Columbia University with a Master of Arts Degree (1956). A professional singer, she appeared in broadcasts of La Traviata, Othello, and other NBC Symphony operas under Toscanini (1946-1948); and as a solo artist in numerous recitals and concerts. She was soloist in the American Book Series, "Music for Young Americans," recorded under the name of Helen Riddle (1957); and was soprano soloist at the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church (1949-1959). Also an accomplished pianist, she edited, wrote, and composed many well known piano education books, solos, and duets. For many years, she was president of Lee Roberts Music Publications. She was an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota, AAUW, PEO, and the Kinderhook Garden Club. Always the artist, she enjoyed landscaping, gardening, and interior decorating; restoring old furniture and houses; and was an avid seamstress, sewing all of her children's clothes in the family's early years. Helen had a quick wit and was noted for her clever one-liners, but was always compassionate and caring toward others. She met the obstacles of a long, difficult illness with great courage and dignity. Her family and friends will miss her immensely. Survivors include her loving husband, Robert; children, Cynthia of East Greenbush, NY, Kevin (and Carolyn) of Erieville, NY, Laurie of Keswick, Va., and James of New Milford, Conn.; one sister, Ruth (Bruce) Frye, of Lindsay, Okla; and two brothers, Frank (Sondra) Crabtree, of Ada, Okla, and Donald (Jeannie) Crabtree, of Warwick, NY.. Helen was the adoring grandmother of six grandchildren, Hayden Pace, Lynelle (Todd) Hopkins, Miley Pace, Frances (Charles) Lonergan, Daniel Pace, and Sarah Pace, and three great grandchildren, Alden and Graysen Hopkins, and Rowen Lonergan. She was predeceased by two brothers, Jean (Mary Jane) Crabtree, of Satellite Beach, Fla., and David (Gaye) Crabtree of Enid, Okla.; and one sister, Margaret (Kenneth) Keplar of Raleigh, North Carolina. The family is tremendously grateful for the help and support so generously offered by devoted caregivers and community members. A celebration of her life will be held this spring (date to be announced) for friends and relatives. Those who wish, may make contributions in Helen's name, to the Alzheimer's Association. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Pontotoc County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pontotoc/pontotoc.html