Eleanor M. Chase (Maher), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister passed away surrounded by the love of her family September 6, 2023. She was born on September 10, 1936 in Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada. She was the daughter of Marcellus and Lucy Maher who had 9 children including the late Mel, Dorris and Betty and Eleanor is survived by her sisters, Theresa and MaryLou, and brothers Frank, Jack and Ken.
While working as a schoolteacher she met her loving and caring husband of 66 years, William J Chase while he was stationed at the US Naval base in nearby Placentia Bay.
They married August 3, 1957 and moved to Medford, Mass. where she and her husband raised 8 children, though she would never divulge who was her favorite. Truthfully, they each most likely shared that esteemed title at one point or another.
Eleanor is survived by her husband, Bill of Medford, daughter Peggy (Chase) and Mike Rice of Groton, MA., son Frank and Jennifer Chase of Wakefield, MA, son Ken and Jie Cui of Arizona, daughter Kathleen (Chase) and Joseph August of Groveland, MA, son Gerry and Cyndi Chase of Newburyport, MA, son Billy and Kristin Chase of North Reading, MA
daughter Maureen Chase of Boston, MA, son Christopher and Lindsey Chase of West Roxbury, MA.
In addition, she is survived by 20 beloved grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren all of whom she enjoyed more than anything.
Their home in Medford was ground zero for all Chase family gatherings, from Sunday dinners to Saturday afternoon visits which always made her week as everyone would come over for lunch or tea and sweets, and maybe even a red wine or planters’ punch.
Eleanor loved a family gathering of any kind. Babies and children always brought a smile to her face, and she was always happy in the company of her large family who cherished her sweet disposition and direct wit. Christmas Day, a warm house filled with loud voices and laughter, all her children and grandchildren, was a highlight for her each year.
As a mother, there was never any better. She came to Massachusetts as a young bride, knowing only her husband, and had her first child soon after, which was followed by 7 more children over a 20-year span. As one can imagine, raising her family kept her quite busy. When her grandchildren were born, she was always available to babysit and she would not come empty handed, she’d always bring a new book to read and if you were lucky, a large tray of her famous chocolate chip cookies.
She enjoyed her long walks all around Medford & Malden which kept her fit and full of energy and when her grandchildren visited, she would often walk them to “Rainbow Park” to play on the swings and treat them to a slush on the way home.
Family vacations to North Conway, NH and Damariscotta, ME were typical annual events but the occasional trips to the Maritime Provinces of Canada were full of great memories spent with her Canadian family members that allowed her children to be exposed to her Newfy upbringing.
She was an active member of St Francis of Assisi Church in Medford where all 8 of her children attended grade school.
Her presence will be missed immensely by so many. She will be remembered everyday by those who loved her and will never be forgotten for her steadfast devotion to her husband and her fervent love for her family.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fellsway West, Medford on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Visitation will be held in the church, prior to the mass, from 9:15 to 10 AM. Interment will be privately held. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eleanor's memory may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church, Fellsway West, Medford, MA 02155. For additional information, please visit, www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.