Dates
In Loving Memory of Lorie Ann Pace Heath, 63, of San Angelo, Texas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born to Eddie Pace and Joan Pace Gerloff, Lorie was the youngest of three siblings. The love and support she was raised with led her to be an amazing mom, wife, and teacher.
Lorie’s life journey flourished during her college years where she studied elementary education at Angelo State University. It was in San Angelo in 1982 that she met the love of her life, Don Heath. The couple married on July 5, 1986 and traveled with Goodyear, the company Don worked for before settling down in San Angelo in 1988 where they built a beautiful life together and raised their children, Courtney Noelle Dianda and Brittney Marie Heath. Lorie’s greatest joy and proudest accomplishment were her two amazing daughters. She was their safe place, their greatest supporter, and a constant source of love and guidance. Her daughters will carry her legacy forward in the way they live, love, and care for others.
One of Lorie’s many gifts was being a remarkable educator. As a teacher, Lorie gave far more than lessons from a book. She inspired, encouraged, and believed in her students, helping them recognize their own potential and leaving a lasting impression on countless lives. Over her years of service with San Angelo ISD, Lorie was a deeply appreciated figure in her school community. She was recognized as San Angelo ISD Teacher of the Year and received the Grants to Teachers award multiple times. Her patience, compassion, wisdom, and dedication made her an extraordinary educator.
Lorie loved staying active, whether it was hiking the Guadalupe Mountains, the Redwood trees in Northern California, or taking a stroll through the most beautiful state and national parks. Being outside in nature was Lorie’s happy place.
Lorie leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, love for adventure, dedication to education, and an enduring love for her family. Her grandchildren, Carson and Mackenzie Dianda, were her greatest joy and will remember her kindness, patience, and unwavering love.
Four years ago, Lorie started her journey after being diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. With remarkable strength, courage, and grace, through the uncertainty, the treatments, the difficult days, and the moments of hope, she was a warrior. Her life was so much greater than her breast cancer. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, cherished daughter, accepting sister, amazing aunt, proud grandmother and loyal friend. Her presence brought warmth, laughter, comfort, and love to the people fortunate enough to know her.
Lorie was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie Pace and Joan Pace Gerloff. She is survived by her husband, Don Heath, her two daughters, Brittney Heath and Courtney Noelle Dianda (and husband Marcus Dianda), and her two grandchildren, Carson Dianda and Mackenzie Dianda. Lorie is also survived by her brother, Donald Pace and sister Kathy Pace Priest Smith, and her two nieces Morgen Priest Smith and Alyssa Priest. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jannine Heath and her brother-in-law Ronnie Heath and his son, Hudson Heath. In addition to her immediate family, she is also survived by many extended family members and countless friends whom she loved and cherished.
Lorie has been made whole again and welcomed into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She will live on in the stories we tell, the traditions we continue, the lessons she taught us, and the countless ways she made our lives better simply by being part of them.
A celebration of Lorie’s life will be held on November 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Harper Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to gather together to remember a beautiful life, share treasured memories, and celebrate the promise that this goodbye is not forever.
In lieu of flowers to honor Lorie’s life, the family invites those wishing to make a memorial contribution to one of the following organizations: https://bit.ly/m/Inlovingmemoryoflorie. Each donation is a meaningful way to honor Lorie’s memory.