Condolences on the Passing of Ellie Chase

WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Ellie Chase, of Jamestown, Rhode Island. She was the beloved wife of the late Barton Chase; and

WHEREAS, Ellie Chase was born in the Bronx, New York City, the daughter of the late Frank and Eleanor O’Connor. Ellie was a hard-working woman who, after attaining a secretarial degree, worked tirelessly at Rockefeller Center to provide for her family, as she raised four daughters in New York State during the 1960s and 1970s with her ex-husband, the late John Moloney; and

WHEREAS, After her divorce, Ellie moved to Connecticut, where she married Bart and worked as an insurance account representative for T.R. Paul. In the early 1990s, Ellie and her husband Bart moved to Jamestown, settling down and built a deeply rooted life in Rhode Island. Together, Ellie and Bart enjoyed the great outdoors where they sailed their 21-foot boat Sea Sprite from the Jamestown Marina and took frequent walks in Beavertail State Park; and

WHEREAS, Ellie and Bart also enjoyed partaking in the local community’s arts and cultural activities, with Ellie taking part in the Jamestown Community Chorus, and Bart’s important role in founding the Jamestown Community Band. Together, they also supported the Friends of Jamestown Seniors; and

WHEREAS, Ellie Chase was a beloved pillar of the Jamestown community. Ellie was a longtime member of St. Mark Catholic Church, and an active volunteer of its Women’s Group, spearheading the Christmas tree raffle and walking group. She also enjoyed working as a docent educator at the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum, served as the Executive Vice President of the Friends of Jamestown Seniors, and also volunteered at the Jamestown Community Farm, and through these endeavors she made many lifelong friends; and

WHEREAS, In her free time, Ellie enjoyed hosting summer lobster bakes and baking the best chocolate chip cookies in Jamestown, for her family and friends. Ellie was also a certified Master Gardener who lovingly tended to her garden at home and the gardens at the Jamestown Senior Center. Ellie was also an avid reader and supporter of the Town Library, and enjoyed travelling to Europe and the National Parks across the United States; and

WHEREAS, Ellie Chase is survived by her daughters, Ellie Wilson and her husband, Walter, Peggy Clark and her husband, Tom, Kathy Clute and her husband, Chris, and Theresa Moloney, and her grandchildren, Meagan Clark Adamovic and her husband, Michael, David Clark and his wife, Julie, Garrod Clute, Donald Wilson, and Bridget Clute, as well as her great- grandchildren, Henry and Caleb Adamovic. Ellie Chase is also survived by her late husband Bart Chase’s nephew and close friend, Ernie Wulff, sisters-in-law Maureen O’Connor, and Laura O’Connor, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest condolences to the Chase Family on the passing of Ellie Chase; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Ellie Wilson, Peggy Clark, Kathy Clute, and Theresa Moloney.