Marion May Pace-Lewallyn

Everyone Loved Her

Marion was born September 3, 1935. The second daughter of Dr. Hallie and Madeline Allds, Marion grew up in Chicago and attended Falkner Middle School and Forman High School. Marion was quite active in high school; she played on the school basketball and bowling teams, and was editor of the school newspaper.

Marion’s next stop was North Central College located in Naperville, Illinois. Her goal was to major in both English and Science. Marion always had a desire of one day becoming a registered nurse, and after one year at North Central she finally received her father’s approval to attend nursing school. In the Fall of 1954, Marion entered the nursing program at St. Anne’s Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. The program was 3½ years in length and required each student to live at the hospital. During her training she met a young resident, Dr. Clinton Pace. They were married April 7, 1957. Dr. Pace had been called to active duty by the U.S. Army, and was stationed at the U.S. Army Hospital in occupied Berlin. Marion joined Clint after she graduated and passed her nursing boards. Their first child Paul was born in Berlin. When Clint’s tour of duty ended in 1959, he decided to specialize in the eye, and upon graduation from the Jules Stein Eye Institute, opened his Ophthalmology practice in Roseville, CA. Marion assumed the position of office manager, and did all of the hiring, bookkeeping, and assisted in all office surgeries. Their second child, Katie, was born in Roseville. Clint, while playing tennis, had a heart attack and passed away on the tennis court in 1993.

Marion married Nelson Lewallyn on May 21, 1994. Marion and Nelson purchased an older home on 38th Street in East Sacramento that was beautiful, but to bring it up to date would require considerable renovation. Marion told Nelson that of the two, she was the more spatial and she would oversee the renovation. And oversee she did - pull that carpet, hardwood here, close that wall, remove that wall, and this is the color paint I want. Nine months later they moved in to their beautiful new home.

Marion and Nelson had a wonderful 31 years together enjoying children, grandchildren, and even three great-grandchildren. Travel was always high on their list. There was Sunriver and Pajaro Dunes, and many trips to Kauai and Europe. But the most unique trips would be Africa, Israel, Australia, and Scotland, Marion’s heritage country.

Marion always believed God had been so very good to her, and that it was her responsibility to help other people in need. On trips to the ocean, Marion and Nelson would pass fields of strawberries where there were always field workers hunched over on their knees picking the berries. Marion would always comment, “Nelson, except for the grace of God that could be you and me.” Marion attended Fremont Presbyterian Church where she served as a deacon, was an usher and greeter, and was on the Grounds Committee. She was a table leader for MOPS (mothers of preschoolers), a group that provides support to help young mothers grow and mature as parents. For over ten years on the second Tuesday of each month, Marion prepared and served the noon meal for all the many guests at Loaves and Fishes. Marion was a two-term president of the Placer County Medical Society Women’s Auxiliary, whose function was to award scholarships to Placer County high school students who wished to pursue a medical career. She was a board member of the Hidden Valley Homeowners Association. She was also a board member of St. Albans Country Day School in Roseville and served eight years as homeroom mom.

Marion had a lot of energy and many outside interests. She loved classical music and the opera. She was an excellent tennis player, loved to ski, both downhill and cross country, and was the ace pitcher for the Hidden Valley softball team. She even had her pilot’s license. She loved to fly fish. Two unique things happened while on fly fishing trips; on a private plane to Montana, the plane developed an oil leak and the pilot had to make a crash landing in a field and on a fishing trip in Alaska, she was waist deep in her waders when across the water, maybe 100 yards away, a grizzly bear stepped into the water. Marion quickly backed out and moved to safety.

The family wants to thank Stephanie and Esther of Mercy Hospice as well as George, Jennifer, Joe, Rachel, Sera, and Serina of Amada Senior Care whose tender love and grace made Marion’s final journey much more peaceful.

Marion was preceded in death by her father and mother, Dr. Hallie and Madeline Allds and by her sister Bonnie Glaubke.

Marion is survived by her husband Nelson; her children, Paul Pace, and Katie (George) Salidas; and her grandchildren, Alex (fianceé Sarah) Salidas and Maddy Salidas; Nelson’s children Bill (Karen) Lewallyn, and Chris (Liz) Lewallyn; grandchildren, Shirley (Trey) Toller, Kevin (Annalee) Lewallyn, Tiffany (fiancé Preston) Lewallyn, and Sean Lewallyn; great-grandchildren, Sofia Lewallyn, and Laken and Liam Toller.

A celebration of Marion's life will be held at Fremont Presbyterian Church, 5770 Carlson Dr., Sacramento, on October 17, 2025 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception and lunch at the Church. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. on October 17, 2025 at East Lawn, 5757 Greenback Ln., Sacramento. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.