Joy Goddard Chase, 97, of Newcastle, died peacefully at home on June 10. Born “Josephine” Goddard, her name was quickly changed to “Joy” because it better suited who she was. Her sunny disposition and bright outlook influenced her wide circle of family and friends throughout her lifetime.
Joy grew up in Cheshire, Conn. and attended Humiston Grade School. She later graduated from Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Conn. and attended Goucher College. She received her nursery school teacher’s license from one of the first nursery schools in the country, the Ruggles Street School/aka Nursery Training School Boston, which later became affiliated with Tufts University.
In 1943, Joy married the love of her life, George Lewis Chase. Joy and George settled in Cheshire where they raised their three children, Dick, Betsy and Bill. Joy was an active member of her church, the First Congregational Church of Cheshire, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and served as a deaconess. She continued to be involved in the Congregational churches of Sarasota, Fla., Colebrook, Conn., and Newcastle, when she and George “retired.”
Joy had an amazing zest for life. She was energetic, an athlete, a wonderful wife, a fine mother and cherished grandmother. She was always “on the go.” She loved her husband, her family, the game of tennis, a morning walk, her flowers, and a competitive game of cards, in that order.
Joy was predeceased by her husband, George; son, William Ladd Chase; brother, John Calvin Goddard III; and sisters, Brenda Allen and Elizabeth Tyack.
She is survived by her sister, Charis Jamison of Natick, Mass.; son, Richard Lovell Chase and wife Mary of Newcastle; daughter, Betsy Goddard Chase of Steamboat Springs, Col.; grandchildren, Alison Chase and wife Rev. Marta Valentin of Littleton, Mass., Andrew Chase and wife Heather of Acton, Mass., Lindsay Melton Hibbs and husband Dr. Luc Hibbs of Bozeman, Mont., Will Melton and wife Beth of Steamboat Springs, Col., Melissa Chase Friedman and husband Eric of Oxford, Conn., Matthew Chase and wife Chrissy of Beacon Falls, Conn., and Rodney Chase of Meriden, Conn.; and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Joy will be held at 2 p.m., Thurs., Aug. 15 at the Second Congregational Church, Newcastle.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joy’s name may be made to Elder Power, 277 Main St., Suite 1, Damariscotta, ME 04543 (www.lincme.net) or the Ecumenical Food Pantry, P.O. Box 46, Newcastle, ME 04553 (www.newcastlefoodpantry.org).
