C. Audrey Giles Chase, 95, of Edgecomb, died Aug. 11 at Safe Havens, Saint Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor. Audrey celebrated her 95th birthday on June 3. That day was marked by the presence of family and friends who gathered to celebrate and remember how she had touched their lives.
Audrey was born on June 3, 1914 in Boothbay Harbor, a daughter of Benjamin M. and Nettie (Rowe) Giles. She was the fifth child born into a family of 12 children.
All of Audrey’s schooling took place in Boothbay Harbor schools. Several years ago she celebrated her 75th Boothbay Harbor High School Reunion. Summers she would work on Squirrel Island and often at Patten’s Restaurant, then located at the end of the Foot Bridge in Boothbay Harbor.
Audrey was such an intelligent woman, and could have gone to college. Instead, she chose to seek adventure by moving with a family to New Jersey. Before we knew the word “au pair”, Audrey practiced it. On April 8, 1939 Audrey married John Chase of North Edgecomb and they began their life together in the log cabin that John had built for them.
Audrey’s love of people, adventure, nature and travel led her to encounter many people. For years she drove to Brunswick to swim with her sister, Iva and the Evergreens’ Senior Citizen Group. For the 70 years that Audrey lived in Edgecomb she was a key participant in the community and church activities. Audrey was a faithful member of the Edgecomb Congregational Church United Church of Christ.
She was predeceased by her husband, John Chase; son, Daniel E. Chase; four brothers, Lermond Giles, Drummond Giles, Bobby Giles and Harold Giles; four sisters, Leta Giles Conners, Lavinia Giles Conners, Iva Giles Koerber and Peggy Giles Hathorne; and many nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughter, Rev. Constance Chase Wells of Damariscotta; brother, Benjamin Giles of China; sisters, Betty Giles Richardson of West Bath, and Pat Giles Adams and husband Robert of Boothbay Harbor; brother-in-law, Merle Hathorne of York; nine grandchildren, Alan John Wells, Jeffrey Wells and wife Allison, Susan Winkler and husband David, Tim Wells and wife Kristin, Andrew Roth Wells and wife Nina, Jonathan Chase, Tom Chase, Jennifer Chase and George Chase and wife Sofia; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial service 10:30 a.m., Fri., Aug. 14 at Edgecomb Congregational Church, U.C.C. in Edgecomb with Rev. Tom Clough officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Edgecomb Congregational Church U.C.C., P.O. Box 113, Edgecomb, ME 04556.
Condolences may be made online at www.daiglefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 40 Federal St., Wiscasset.
