Barbara May (Lewis, Kinsman) Pace

Barbara May (Lewis, Kinsman) Pace of Pittsboro, NC is now walking on streets of gold. Family joined together, surrounding her with love as she passed. With her playful humor, resilient spirit, and gentle generosity, Barb truly was the glue that brought our family together.

Barb was born on May 8, 1944 in Quincy, MA, the daughter of Rev. Richard and Ellen Lewis, and the oldest of five children. As a PK (Pastor’s Kid), she grew up all over the northeastern seaboard, from New Jersey to the shores of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Barb graduated from Eastern Nazarene College, and went on to teach grade school in Easton, MA, and Indianapolis, IN, and at the college level in Nampa, ID. Barb was an incredibly gifted teacher throughout her long career. No matter where she taught, she was sought after by students and admired by colleagues. She was the cool teacher, the one every student wanted to have. She drove a Corvette and dressed like she belonged in a magazine. She loved each and every student she taught and they loved her in return. Through and through, Barb was a teacher at heart.

In addition to teaching, Barb was the quintessential artist, writing and illustrating several educational books and games for Milton Bradley. She also co-designed, built, and painted the stage sets and props for several church and university stage productions. Whether for Little Women or Seussical, the Musical, Barbie and Ken’s artwork brought the stories to life. (You read that right—Barbie and Ken were real!)

Many people referred to Barb as “Martha Stewart” for her tremendous skills in cooking and home decorating. She brought her remarkable artistic talents and energy to whatever she pursued, making everything just perfect for those around her, whether it was a delicious nightly meal or elaborate Christmastime decorations that rivaled those of one of her favorite movies, “Elf.” Barb and Ken even decorated their log cabin in southern Indiana so beautifully that it was ultimately featured in a magazine. Whatever she created, it got the Barbara touch—an artist’s touch. We’re all eager to see how she’s re-decorated Heaven’s streets of gold, and what kind of banquet she prepares when we ultimately meet her there.

Barb was also an athlete and adventurer, taking up running and skiing in her younger years, and walking countless miles right up until weeks before her passing. Toward the end, the only reason we knew anything was wrong at all was because she actually sat still for more than a minute.

In retirement, Barb and Ken moved to Nampa, ID to help raise some of their many grandkids, and then to Pittsboro, NC to enjoy warmer weather and relax with family. Barb lived a rich and fulfilling life, passing away peacefully and without pain on April 9, 2026, despite the cancer in her body. She leaves behind a family that is striving to join her someday, a family that includes her beloved husband, Kenneth Pace, Jr.; former spouse, Richard Kinsman; her brothers, Ken, Doug (Sandy), Ed (Lori), and Bryan (Kathleen) Lewis; her children, Susan (Travis) Pape, R. Paul (Deanna) Kinsman, and Jerriann Conner; her grandchildren, Carter (Laura Duffy) Pape, Kendrianna (Issam) Mellouki, Austin (Suzanne) Pape, Alexandra (Michael Pacurar) Kinsman, Samantha Kinsman, Zoe Travis, R. Tyler Kinsman, and Danielle (Joe Hall) Travis; and her great-grandchildren, Montana Skye Travis and Zakariah Mellouki, with another precious great-grandchild on the way.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to cancer research at https://unclineberger.org/

We will greatly miss her here but are running the race to meet up with her on our own personal finish lines.

With love, The Pace/Pape/Kinsman Fam

Donaldson Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Barbara Pace.