ATHOL- Jean Katheryn Wade Chase, age 87, who was born January 2, 1934, in Orange MA and raised by her grandparents James and Mary MacKnight, died peacefully at home on June 12, 2021.
Jean graduated from Orange High School in 1951.
She was married to Willard Moore Chase on September 12, 1953.
She lived in Orange Massachusetts her entire life until moving into a wonderful community at Miller’s Woods and River Bend in Athol. She quickly became involved in this vibrant community establishing many supportive and loving friends. While there she went on trips, volunteered for charity events, and hosted social gatherings.
Jean had an expansive career while raising her family. She held a variety of interesting positions including Advertising Executive at the Athol Daily News and retired as a licensed insurance broker who started her own business in Orange with Farm Family.
In addition, she was an active member of the community participating in several organizations- the Orange Alumni Association, Rotary Club, Council on Aging, poll worker, Life-Line Services. She was also Chairman of the Mahar School Committee, Secretary of the Franklin County Technical School and two term Selectman for the Town of Orange.
Her friends and family will tell you she always had a positive outlook on life and would never complain even during difficult times. She was an avid reader of mystery novels and would never miss an episode of NCIS on Tuesday night at 8pm.
Jean was an outgoing individual who always up for an adventure. She loved bus trips with friends, social gatherings, and travel. Her most recent big trip included a cruise to Alaska which included a helicopter ride to an iceberg. Other favorite trips included Scotland, England and of course her frequent trips to old Cape Cod.
She leaves 5 children: Cindy Chase Johnson, Gayle Chase Kwei, W. Jamerson Chase, Kathleen Chase Howard, Janice Chase Fennelly and 6 Grandchildren: Shawn Johnson, James Kwei, Gordon Kwei, Sydney Howard, Lauren Fennelly, Shelby Howard.
The family wishes to thank her primary care oncologist Dr Sarah Hughes and her exceptional team at UMass Memorial Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the UMass Memorial Cancer Center. https://www.ummhealth.org/umass-memorial-medical-center/giving
Calling Hours will be held at Wittys Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on June 26, 2021.
Interment will follow in South Cemetery, Orange.
A celebration of Jean’s life will be held on June 26th at 1 p.m. at the clubhouse at Riverbend Woods, 739 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.
Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM
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