Margot Renate Pace

Margot Renate Pace, 72, of Hampton, passed away on May 17, 2020 after a brief illness. Margot was born on December 9, 1947 to Walter and Gertraud Petzina in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. Growing up in Stuttgart, Germany, she fell in love with U.S. Army MP, James Kirk Pace of Osceola, Arkansas, and they married on November 3, 1967. A devoted mother to their two children, she made a happy and lively home as their assignments took them to Texas, Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia. Twice they found their way back to Germany living in Stuttgart’s Robinson Barracks and later in Heidelberg’s Patrick Henry Village. Whenever possible, she took advantage of the opportunity to travel. Among her favorite trips were a family vacation driving through Italy in the late 1970s; exploring Prague with her father as he shared memories of his childhood and young adulthood; visiting her expat son in Amsterdam; and an unforgettable girls’ trip to New Orleans for her 70th birthday.

Her first work experience after school was at BASF in Germany. Throughout the years in addition to being a full-time homemaker and military spouse, Margot often worked outside the home. One of her favorite positions was working at the on-base bookstore at the U.S. Army Headquarters Europe. She later put her people skills to work as a gate agent with Eastern Airlines. Prior to her husband's death in 2012, she worked alongside him to realize his post-retirement dream of owning an antiques and collectibles shop.

Over the years, Margot loved entertaining and celebrating with others. The family enjoyed highly competitive games of trivia and chance, including boisterous nightly viewings of Jeopardy. Not one for classical music or ballads, she listened to rock music as loud and as often as possible. A major musical highlight was seeing her favorite band, The Rolling Stones, live in concert on her 50th birthday!

Margot was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Kirk Pace; and beloved four-legged companion, Sophie, playfully referred to as the Tasmanian Devil.

Her lasting legacy is friendship including cherished childhood friendships cultivated over decades and military friendships that began quickly but endured well past the initial tours of duty. She also developed several close relationships with “kids” who considered her the best combination of friend and parental figure.

Margot leaves behind her devoted children, James Kai Pace of Peachtree City and Natalie Denis Pace of Atlanta; brother, Kai Petzina and niece, Lia Petzina, both of Stuttgart, Germany; "second daughter", Kelly Fischer of Douglasville; and many friends and extended family. She will be remembered by all for her kindness, loyalty, and most of all love.