Obituary of Doris Aiello Pace

Doris Elizabeth Swan Aiello Pace, 92, of North Syracuse, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2017. Doris was the daughter of Locke and Grace Brown Swan of Corning, New York. She was a woman of many gifts, talents, and experiences. As a child living in the Depression era, Doris learned very early to be innovative and self-sufficient. She was schooled in the art of gracious living, working as a lady’s helper in a beautiful home in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania; was so moved by church services that she attended several of them in various churches on any given Sunday; rode her bicycle on a 20 mile trip to Elmira, NY and back to buy a dress (twice in one day); worked and saved enough money to buy her own bedroom furniture at age 14; and decided to marry Louis Aiello, an Italian immigrant, at age 16. She had been a very good student, and while her children were young, managed to go to night school to complete work for her high school diploma, followed by courses in public speaking and accounting. She worked at Westinghouse in Elmira, as well as becoming President of the PTA in the Tioga, Pennsylvania School District. She was also a strong supporter of her husband’s family cheese business, Frank Aiello & Sons. She made meals for the workers building the cheese factory in Jackson Summit Pennsylvania, and when the business acquired a tractor-trailer rig, she backed the trailer through the gate and to the dock, after others had tried and failed. She laid floors and built closets in their old farmhouse, creatively (and daringly) bringing it up to date with bright interior colors, and eventually, painting the exterior a soft pink. Over the years, she also developed an outstanding personal style of dress and appearance, both of which have been commented upon right up to the present. After Louis passed away, the young widow moved with her two daughters remaining at home, to Corning, later marrying Eugene Pace of Sayre, Pennsylvania. Doris and Gene built three houses, along with their move to South Carolina, where Doris began a successful career with the South Carolina Highway Department. Doris and Gene’s home in South Carolina showcased her design and decorating skills, and she was frequently asked to purchase furniture and decorate rooms for friends and acquaintances. Doris and Gene toured Europe, and after their retirement, participated in three camping caravans with friends across the United States, including a foray into Mexico. After Gene passed away, Doris returned to her northern roots. Friends, neighbors, and family enjoyed still another stylishly transformed home as a setting for small get-togethers and large family events. Life brought Doris some great challenges, each of which she faced with strength and her strong religious faith. She was not a joiner but was generous to those in need or in need of a boost. She will be remembered for her many “small acts of kindness.” Doris was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Cicero. She was predeceased by her daughter, Rosemary Klein; grandsons Jeremy Klein and Christopher Patterson; her husband Louis Aiello; her second husband Eugene Pace; and siblings Evelyn Hall, Kenneth Swan, Marion Eggleston, Anita Horowitz, and Douglas Swan. Doris is survived by her daughters Susan (John) Lynch, and Linda Patterson, her son Louis Aiello, and her son-in-law, Cameron Klein; 12 beloved grandchildren, and 15 very special great-grandchildren, all of whom she was very proud. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 14 from 2-5pm, with a prayer service at 5 pm at Falardeau Funeral Home, 93 Downer Street, Baldwinsville. Burial will be in St. Peter and Paul's Cemetery, Elmira, NY. Donations can be made to Hospice of CNY, 990 7th N St, Liverpool, NY 13088.