E. Bernice Sparks-Chase, 87, of Derry, NH, died Thursday, October 13, 2005 in Pleasant Valley Nursing Center, Derry. Mrs. Chase was born in Somerville, MA on August 9, 1918, a daughter of the late Clarence B. and Mabel A. (Bailey) Wright. She was a resident of Derry for the past 14 years, formerly living in Londonderry, NH and Cambridge, MA. She was a member of the Londonderry United Methodist Church, the Londonderry Senior Citizens and was an avid knitter. She also did volunteer work with the handicapped in Nashua, NH.
She is survived by two daughters, Virginia A. Cruz and her husband Edward of Cape Coral , FL, Terri J. Bilotta and her husband Richard of Auburn, NH, two sons, Herbert M. Sparks, Jr. and his wife Dorothy of Merrimack, NH, John E. Sparks and his wife Lisa of Nashua, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, a sister, Ruth Smith of Goffstown, NH and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband of 45 years, Herbert M. Sparks Sr., in 1982, her second husband, Russell E. Chase Sr., in 1998, a grandson, Timothy Sparks in 1979 and a brother, Palmer Wright.
Funeral services were held on Monday, October 17, 2005 at 10:00am in the Londonderry United Methodist Church, 258 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. The burial followed in the Glenwood Cemetery, Londonderry. Calling hurs were on Sunday, October 16th from 1 - 4pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army Northern New England Divisional Headquarters: 297 Cumberland Avenue, Portland, ME, 04104 or to the Londonderry United Methodist Church, 258 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH 03053.