Stephanie Ann Fish Pace PHD, age 81, passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in St. George, Utah.  She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 3, 1942, as the first child to Ann Lucille Hays and Carlton Rittenhouse Fish II.

She spent most of her childhood in Salt Lake City though she often spoke of her formative years in New York State (age 10-14). She graduated Highland High School in 1960 and then attended the University of Utah where she first developed her lifelong passion for education, reading and human rights. She graduated from the U of U in 1964. She started her career as a teacher shortly after graduating. Married in 1966, she and her first husband, Brooks Pace, moved to Europe to travel and work; there they had their daughter, Nicola Brooke Pace. After five years away from home they returned to Las Vegas where Stephanie resumed her education and earned her master's degree. In 1973 she and her daughter returned to Salt Lake City and Stephanie continued her education back at the "U" and earned her PHD in English Literature, graduating in 1980.

Stephanie then started her long career at the University of Utah as a leader in Women's Rights education and she became well known for her empathy and compassion for all of her students and fellow educators. In addition to teaching, she loved hiking, travel and French cuisine, especially a good brie cheese.

She is survived by her daughter, Nicki (Randall) Richards; grandsons: Sam and Jack Richards, of St. George, Utah; sister-in-law, Brenda Fish; and nephews: Derek and Drew Miller, and Eric Fish. In 2023 she lost both of her siblings: Rosemary Fish Miller (Rosy) and Carlton Rittenhouse Fish III (Rit) which was devastating to her.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah on Sunday, September 3, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Red Butte Gardens, The Rose House. For details on the event please email BeeStephaniePace@gmail.com.

For condolences and sharing memories, please visit www.metcalfmortuary.com.