Jean Nace earned two varsity letters while playing for The Fairmont East softball team in 1980, 81 and 82. Playing under head coach Jim Zink and Assistant Coach Denny Priser, Jean’s teams combined for a 33 - 4 record in her two letter-winning seasons. One of her teammates was Hall of Fame charter member Annie Kerrigan.  

In 1981, Jean had a batting average of .479 and a pitching record of 9 - 2. The team record was 11 - 3 as they finished 3rd in a very strong Western Ohio League. 

While her junior season was impressive, her senior year was unforgettable. The team record was 22 - 1. They were WOL Champions. They won both the District and Regional Championships. In the state semi-finals Jean pitched a sparkling 1 - 0 shutout over Talmadge with the Falcons holding on for the nail-biting victory. They were crowned OHSAA State Champions with a 12 - 3 victory over Westerville North. The 1982 team is one of only 22 state championship teams in all of Fairmont history and the only softball team to claim that honor.  

Jean, described by her teammates as an excellent team leader, was named a tri-captain in her senior season. She had a batting average of .396. She had a very durable arm, pitching 117 of the team’s 154 innings that year. She gave up only 34 hits and allowed only 10 runs for a sparkling ERA of 0.598. Her record of 16 wins and 0 losses is still a Fairmont season record. Her 119 strikeouts established the Fairmont season record, later broken by Hall of Fame member Sara Henn in 2006. At the end of the season Jean was honored by being named First Team All - WOL and WOL Player of the Year.  

Jean’s incredible career pitching record was a dominating 27 wins against only 2 defeats. She pitched 2, no-hitters; 9, 1-hitters; 6, 2-hitters; and 6, 3-hitters. She had at least 9 shutouts including the victory in the state semi-finals. In the regional and state tournaments, Jean allowed only 5 runs in 4 games.  

Jean remembered fondly the no-hitter she pitched with a broken finger, the wonderful education she received, the camaraderie of her teammates, and especially that superlative state championship season. 

After graduation, Jean played softball at Sinclair Community College and later played for a variety of amateur teams in the Miami Valley. She retired from Dayton Children’s Medical Center, where she helped many families in the admitting department. She was a devoted Bengals and Reds fan and enjoyed many adventure trips with her husband Jim. Together they were the life of the parties they held for their many dear friends. There was nothing like a "Nace party” where she got to display her great passion for cooking, entertaining, and spending time with so many special people. Jean died far too young in February, 2024, and is survived by her husband of 36 years, James Mills, and numerous loving family members and devoted friends.