Linda Pace

Linda Pace (17 April 1945–2 July 2007) was an American artist, food magnate, heiress, and philanthropist who founded Artpace. She was born to parents who owned Pace Foods and took over the company with her husband Christopher “Kit” Goldsbury, before selling it to Kit after divorcing him.

Pace created Chris Park in her home town of San Antonio, in memory of her son Chris, who died of a drug overdose in 1997.

Early life and education

Linda Pace was born in San Antonio, Texas on April 17, 1945 to father David Earl Pace and mother Margaret Emma (née: Bosshardt) Pace. Her mother was an artist and parents were the owners of Pace Foods. Her maternal great-aunt was Emma Koehler, the German-American businesswoman behind Pearl Brewing Company.

Pace later had a brief marriage to Dick Roberts and worked with her mother at her mother's San Antonio’s Southwest School of Art and Craft (later known as the Southwest School of Art).

In 1997, following the death of her son Chris Pace, she created the one-acre Chris Park in his memory. Chris died of a drug overdose.

Death and legacy

Pace died of breast cancer on July 2, 2007.