Joyce Pace

Joyce I.(Dugan) Pace, of South Dartmouth, MA, died suddenly Sunday July 7, 2024 after an unexpected illness. Born in Newport, RI Joyce was the daughter of the late Martin and Dorothy (Keates) Dugan. She was married to Jeffrey Pace of South Dartmouth.

Joyce was raised on Aquidneck Island and settled to South Dartmouth with her family in 1984 after several earlier moves. Joyce had 2 children, daughter Courtney (Pace) Halvorsen and her husband Peter Halvorsen of Portsmouth, RI and son Adam Pace of South Dartmouth, MA; She was the loving and devoted "Mimi" to 3 cherished grandchildren; Anneliese, Camden, and Lorelei Halvorsen. In addition, Joyce is survived by her siblings Marty Dugan III of Waltham, MA and his wife Anne, Linda (Dugan) Murphy of Redlands, CA, and Deborah (Dugan) Wiant of Portsmouth, RI. She also leaves many loved nieces and nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews within the Dugan and Pace families.

She was a 1965 graduate of Middletown High School, followed by Katherine Gibbs School in Providence, RI and later completed a professional certificate in Design from RISD. She was known for her design services in the southcoast, artistic talent and collaboration, and active community involvement with years of volunteering while raising her children and later in life at area organizations such as Dartmouth Public Schools, Child and Family Services, New Bedford Whaling Museum, and most recently Our Sisters School. In addition to her design business, She had worked at Naval Station Newport, Charles Rivers Labs, Marty Sullivans Co., and The Packet in Padanaram Village. She and her husband, Jeff were charter members of the Duxbury Cruising club and longtime members of the New Bedford Yacht Club. She enjoyed the close knit community of the Bayview Association Neighborhood, and was active with the board. She shared her love of gardening and the joy in each new season with neighbors and with her family and friends. She had a deep appreciation for the beauty of the sea, enjoyed travel, and excelled in art in many mediums.

A gathering to celebrate her life and share memories will be planned for a later date, and communicated by her loved ones. In lieu of flowers, her family would like to offer information for a gift in honor and remembrance of Joyce to Our Sisters School, in New Bedford, MA. https://www.oursistersschool.org/ 

She would also suggest that taking in a beautiful sunset or sunrise is never to be missed.