MILFORD – Mary B. (Bowman) Chase, 73, of 144 Purchase St., died Thursday, Nov. 11, at home after an illness.
She leaves her husband of 53 years, the Rev. Thomas E. Chase; six children, Kathryn C. Corman of Milford, Thomas E. Chase and his wife Valerie of Guilford, NH, Edie A. Ortiz and her husband Joseph of Milford, Stephen L. Chase of Columbus, GA, Deborah L. McKinney of Augusta, ME, and Kevin P. Chase of Shrewsbury; a brother, LeRoy Bowman of Fairhaven; 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
She was born in New Bedford and raised in Fairhaven, the daughter of LeRoy J. S. and Santa F. (Femino) Bowman. She then lived in Maine, Webster, and Sutton before moving to Milford in 2001. She graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1948.
Mrs. Chase was a homemaker. She was the foster mother to 32 children, and at one time served on the Commission for Children at the state level. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Milford and was involved in her church all her life in many capacities. She was an active member of the Episcopal Church Women, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Quinatisset Grange in Thompson and the state and national grange. She enjoyed sewing, needlepoint and crocheting.
The funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Tuesday, Nov. 16, in the Church of the Reconciliation, 5 North Main St., Webster. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours are from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM Monday, Nov. 15, in the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster. Donations may be made to a charity of choice.