Arlene M. Chase

Athol-- Arlene Mary (Hammond) Chase, 98, of 520 Lenox Street, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at Quabbin Valley Healthcare, while surrounded by her loving family. Born in Lowell, Mass. on August 16, 1917, she was the daughter of Henry and Philimon (Sevigney) Hammond. She grew up in Derry, N.H. and attended local schools there. In her teens, she was proud to have been named “Carnival Queen” and been given the Key to the City. As a young person, Arlene worked in McElwain Shoe Shop, and then with her sister, Evelyn Blanchard, owner of Blanden’s Bridal Shop and the Seventeen Shop. She was well-known for the beautiful cakes she made as part of her cake decorating business, with her favorites being the bridal confections. She later worked in the purchasing department of the L.S. Starrett Company for many years, until her retirement. On July 4, 1936, she married Walter E. Chase, Jr. of Athol, and they enjoyed 61 years of marriage, until his death in 1997. Together they were parishioners of Our Lady Immaculate Church, were members of The Ellinwood Country Club for more than 50 years, and also belonged to a local bowling league. Additionally she was a member of the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and enjoyed working in the Glass Shelf Gift Shop. For many years, Arlene and her husband spent their winters in Lakeland, FL, where golf was their daily pastime. She is survived by a daughter, Carol (Chase) Ambrozy and her husband, Donald, of Athol; a son-in-law, Gary Fortier of Athol; a grandson, Richard Ambrozy and his wife, Laura, of Athol; a granddaughter, Sara (Hebert) Yates and her husband, William, of Windham, Maine; a granddaughter, Jennifer (Hebert) Mayer and her husband, William, of Athol; a grandson, Garett Fortier and his partner, Ellen Reed, of East Templeton; great-grandchildren Ryan and Rachel Ambrozy, Liam, Riley, Morgan and Devon Yates, Evan and Olivia Mayer, and McKenna Fortier; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her daughter, Barbara (Chase) Fortier, her sister, Evelyn, and brothers, Harold, Earl and Wesley Hammond. There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street, Athol. Private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Barbara A. Fortier Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Athol Savings Bank, 1499 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331.