Remembering the life of Heather Tace (2024)

Heather J. Tace passed away peacefully on June 5, 2024, in Virginia Beach, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents George C. Jamieson and Dorothy H. Jamieson (Hartzner), husband Col. Stephen A. Tace, USMC, and son Marc S. Tace. She leaves a legacy through her daughters Holly T. Cuellar (CAPT Al Cuellar, USN Ret.) of Virginia Beach, VA, Noelle M. Johansen (Brian L. Johansen) of Richmond, VA, as well as four grandchildren Isabella G. Cuellar, Marc F. Macomson, Cole S. Macomson, and Georgia M. Macomson.
Born June 11, 1943, in Niagara Falls, NY, Heather grew up on Cayuga Island located on the Niagara River. An only child, Heather studied piano and was an avid tennis player. She enjoyed sailing around the island in her boat, the "Hezzy J" and was a lifelong member of the Niagara Falls LaSalle Yacht Club. Heather met her husband Steve at the local ninth-grade social, after he won a coin toss and asked her to dance. She was an active member of her high school sorority Alpha Kappa Epsilon (AKE) serving as president her senior year. Heather graduated LaSalle Senior High School in 1961 and went on to attend the State University of New York (SUNY) Geneseo where in 1965, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She continued her education at SUNY College of Buffalo, where in 1967 she was awarded a Master's of Science in Speech Pathology.
When Heather and Steve married in 1966, she embraced her role as a military spouse. Their family was stationed in several locations across the United States prior to making Virginia Beach their home in 1980. After arriving in Virginia, Heather continued her lifelong journey of service focusing on education, access for the physically challenged, military families and her community at large. Her focus on education included leadership roles in the PTA (elementary through college) including co-founder of the Annual Kingston Elementary Beach Ford All American Run, now in its 42nd year. Her passion for the physically challenged stemmed from her son Marc's diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy; and she worked tirelessly to create handicap accessible environments across Virginia Beach public schools, local grocery and convenience stores and Virginia Wesleyan College. She served on the board of the Tidewater Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and was appointed to the City of Virginia Beach Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. Heather was a firm believer in supporting active-duty military and their families and served on the Armed Services YMCA board, Tidewater Marine Spouses Club, and Star-Spangled Salute to the Military. She was the volunteer coordinator for Meals on Wheels at Saint Aidan's Episcopal Church where she and her son Marc delivered meals to the elderly. In 1993 Heather was recognized for her contributions by the Virginia Beach Jaycees as the 44th First Citizen of Virginia Beach.
At the center of Heather's life was her family. When she became a grandmother, known affectionately to all as "Honey", her greatest joy was spending time with and supporting Isabella, Marc, Cole, and Georgia. She cheered the loudest at water polo, rowing, baseball, swim meets, dance competitions and recitals. There was always time to go "on a spree" to any of their favorite places. Their time together was filled with unconditional love, laughter, and endless adventure. Her bonus son, Chris Gray of Boston, MA, filled her heart with joy and she loved spending time in the northeast with him, his wife Diane and their children, Charlotte and Jackson.
A celebration of life is planned for Monday, June 24 at 11 a.m. at Saint Aidan's Episcopal Church. Flowers are gratefully declined. In memory of Heather, gifts may be made to Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads. Donations may be made online or at 1465 Lakeside Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

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Published on June 14, 2024