Tributes

Barbara “Barb” Chase, 81, of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and Oneonta, New York, passed away September 20, 2023. Barb was born in New York on October 8, 1941, to her late parents, Karin and William Walker. She was shaped by sights and sounds of the NYC area with fond memories she would pass along to her future generations. She graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a bachelor’s degree in childhood education. While at Oneonta, she met and fell in love with Richard “Dick” Chase, despite a deep divide in their Red Sox and Yankees baseball allegiances. They married in 1964 and moved to the Chase Diary property, where they settled and raised their three children in the company of Dick’s late parents, Ken and Doris Chase. Barb and Dick’s daughter, Kimberly “Kim” Chase, was born in 1965, followed by son Darren Chase in 1967 and son Matthew “Matt” Chase in 1971. Barb’s lifelong passion was teaching. As a firm believer of knowledge as a gift that opens minds and enriches the world, she inspired countless students as an elementary school teacher and, after a hiatus raising her family, returned to assist with developmentally disabled children at Center Elementary Street School. With her children – and later, grandchildren – Barb had the uncanny ability to understand the unique needs of each child, whether it was an extra push to achieve a goal, strong guidance for discipline or a soft hug for comfort. This quality was particularly true when her eldest child, Kim, was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome and received a grim prognosis. At a time when an understanding and acceptance of developmental disabilities was less common, Barb defied the medical convention of the time and became a tireless advocate for Kim. She channeled her love of teaching to empower Kim with the capabilities to prosper in her own way and spread joy to everyone she encountered. In 2000 Barb and Dick retired to Murrells Inlet, where Barb quickly found herself at home by the sea and made a wide circle of friends in her community. Always wanting to brighten the world around her, she joined the local garden club and became an expert in local horticulture. Barb was an avid cook and loved to entertain friends and family with delicious drinks and mouthwatering food. She enjoyed researching her family ancestry and sharing interesting finds with her family. She also had a passion for reading, and later in life, when she couldn’t travel, reading served as her gateway to the world. Barb is now reunited with Dick, who predeceased her in 2008, and probably laughing and making plans for dinner. She is survived by her adoring children, Kim, Darren and Matt (Jennifer). She treasured her four grandchildren, Brendan, Brittany (Adam), Ryan and Kendall, and was giddy with her great-granddaughter, Maci. Barb leaves behind her brother, Carl, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Barb’s close circle of friends, who were like family, will remember her intellect, laugh and hospitality. And we all will remember her hallmark trait later in life: fierce independence, which equally inspired and frustrated us all. A celebration of life will be held on November 12, 2023 at noon at the Oneonta Country Club in Oneonta, New York. In lieu of flowers, donations may be considered to the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research at www.fpwr.org or call 1-888-322-5487. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Tributes

Barbara Karin Walker Chase

October 8, 1941 - September 20, 2023