Grace Estelle Chase
Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Friend
LOWELL Grace Estelle (Sawyer) Chase passed peacefully into eternal rest on May 21, 2016 surrounded by her family. Grace was married to the late George C. Chase and resided in Lowell all of her life. Born on October 12, 1922, Grace was the daughter of the late Hollis L. Sawyer and Theresa (Mealey) Sawyer. Grace grew up in St. Peter’s parish where she attended St. Peter’s school and later graduated from Keith Hall in 1941. Grace met her husband, George at Hampton Beach, NH, in 1945 and was married for 35 years, until his death in 1985. George was the great love of her life.
In her early years, Grace worked as a bookkeeper for McQuade's Clothing store in Lowell. She left the work force to raise her family, and then worked at St. Peter’s Rectory for many years, until it closed in 1986. She continued working at St. Margaret Rectory in Lowell until her retirement at age 85.
Grace was a devote Catholic. She was a member of St. Peter’s parish most of her life and was married from there in 1950. She became a member of St. Margaret’s parish after St. Peter’s Church closed. Grace was a long standing member of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality. She was a member of the Greater Lowell YMCA for many years. Throughout her lifetime, she enjoyed the company of many dear friends. Grace enjoyed camping with her family, vacationing at Hampton Beach for over 50 years, and spending time with her family and friends.
Grace is survived by her daughter, Marilyn (Chase) Houston and her husband, Michael, of Chelmsford, her son, Garry Chase and his wife, Frances, of Arizona, and her daughter, Maureen (Chase) McMorrow and her husband, James, of Lowell. She also leaves her loving grandchildren, Nicole (Chase) Dowd, Kenneth Houston and his finance, Heidi Hillman, Laura (Houston) Napiorkowski and her husband, Michael, James McMorrow Jr., Erin McMorrow, and Jonathan McMorrow, as well as great grand-daughter, Kylie Bennett. Grace also leaves behind her great grandsons, Sam and Jack Napiorkowski and Ariana Ness. Grace leaves behind many friends, especially her longtime friend, Elsie Fagner. Grace leaves her loving brother in laws, Richard Chase and his wife, Mary, Rene Chase and his wife, Mona, Arthur Chase and his wife, Mary, as well as many nieces and nephews. Grace was predeceased by her sister, Clare (Sawyer) Chartier and her brother in law, Edward H. Chartier. She also leaves behind esteemed niece, Janice (Chartier) Bradley and nephew’s, Steven Chartier and Richard Chartier.
Grace was also predeceased by her lifelong friend, Mary (Driscoll) Sullivan, after sharing a friendship of 86 years. Grace also leaves her close friends Maritza Hansen and Margie Williamson with whom she shared a special bond.
The family of Grace Chase wish to express a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Palm Center in Chelmsford who cared for our mother with such attention and compassion in the last hours of her life.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HER CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY.
ON THURSDAY, HER FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 8:30 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL 978-458-6816.
HER FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARGARET PARISH, 374 STEVENS ST., LOWELL AT 9:30 A.M..
BURIAL IN MARY CEMETERY.
