Eleanor (Kirby) Chase

Eleanor Frances (Kirby) Chase passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 93 on January 9, 2012, in Acton, MA. She was in good health and had recently enjoyed Christmas with her family. She was the wife of the late Ernest E. Chase of Beverly, with whom she shared more than 67 years of marriage.

Born in Beverly, MA, on April 4, 1918, daughter of the late Perley W. and Ruth (Homan) Kirby, Mrs. Chase graduated from Beverly High School in 1935. She worked as a housekeeper and later as a clerk in an ice cream and candy store after high school. Mrs. Chase received a diploma from Higgins Commercial Machine School in Boston in September, 1938. Although she did not work outside the home following her marriage in 1940, she returned to work after her children were grown, preparing lunches at a local child care facility, Living and Learning, in Danvers for several years.

A resident for more than 90 years in the Ryal Side neighborhood of Beverly, Mrs. Chase lived almost 70 of those years on Gregg Street. She was active in the Immanuel Congregational Church from her childhood through the years that she raised her own children.

Ellie, as her friends knew her, learned to enjoy tent camping. When her children were growing up, she spent entire summers with them tenting in Campton, New Hampshire. She instilled in her four children a love of nature and shared her love of reading, of poetry, and of thoughtful discussion.

An avid square dancer for many years, Ellie – together with her husband – served as president of the Shindiggers Club of Wenham, the Eastern District Square and Round Dance Association, and the Square Dance Foundation of New England. She and her husband received the Yankee Clipper Award for distinguished service to square and round dancing.

Most recently Mrs. Chase was a resident at The Inn at Robbins Brook in Acton, an assisted living community midway between the homes of two of her daughters, Linda and Kathy. At The Inn, she was able to experience the solitude she enjoyed, as well as the companionship of new friends. Her calm and positive outlook on life endeared her to other residents and the staff.

Mrs. Chase was predeceased by her older sister Edna Kirby Galbraith of Intervale, NH, and her younger brother, Perley W. Kirby, Jr. of Salisbury, MA. She is survived by her sister Louise Ray of Revere, MA; son Richard Chase (wife Sue) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; daughter Sally Bell (husband Donald) of Houston, Texas; daughter Linda Vitone (husband Edward) of Ashburnham, MA; and daughter Kathleen Gauthier (husband Paul) of Dracut, MA. She also leaves her granddaughter Roberta Wilding (husband David) of Cobleskill, NY; granddaughter Virginia Chase of Ann Arbor, MI; grandson Christopher Vitone of Worcester, MA; grandson Nicholas Vitone of Atlanta, GA; granddaughters Renée Gauthier and Tracey Gauthier of Dracut, MA; great granddaughters Ananda and Madeleine Wilding of Cobleskill, NY; and several nieces and nephews.