Stella May Smith Mace

The daughter of William R. and Ethel M. Smith of Quincy, MA, Stella May Smith Mace died peacefully on March 8, 2022, at the age of 102. The oldest sister of Marion H. Aufiero (deceased) and Ruth E. Howland, Stella moved with her daughters and late husband Sidney M. Mace when he returned to Hendersonville, NC in 1950. She was a graduate of Quincy (MA) High School and Framingham (MA) Teachers College and retired from Pardee Hospital in 1981 after 21 years as a dietary supervisor. In her retirement years, she was an avid quilter, a rabid genealogist; and a charter member of the Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society where she also volunteered twice weekly until age 95.

On the occasion of her 100^th birthday, October 21, 2019, was declared “Stella Mace Day” by the mayor of Hendersonville, NC. During a long and productive lifetime, Stella demonstrated a deep love for her community, abiding faith in God, inspiring dedication to her church, and a loving concern for the welfare of others. She earned the respect and affection of people from all walks of life and all ages.

Stella is survived by her daughters Sydney M. Mace and Nancy C. Corn, son-in-law Wayne Corn, grandchildren William R. Robinson, Elisabeth Robinson Trace, and Stephen Corn, and several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and many dear friends. She was a member of Jones Gap Baptist Church. A classmate wrote in their 1941 college yearbook, “Stella, Keep that twinkle in your eye.” She did. Her family misses her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc., 400 North Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792.