Barbara Jean Chase died peacefully on February 17 (Ash Wednesday) at the age of 95. She was born Barbara Jean Duncan September 11, 1925 in Pasadena, California. She was the second child of Robert Duncan (Aberdeen, Scotland) and Georgi (Young) Duncan of Glasgow, Scotland.
Barbara’s parents lost their first baby to the 1918 Influenza Pandemic in the United States. Her elder brother Robert Duncan Jr. preceded her in death.
Barbara grew up in Pasadena attending McKinley High School. She graduated from Pasadena Business College and became a secretary at Cal Tech. At 18 years old, she met Paul Chase on a blind date. Paul was preparing to serve in WW II as a Navy Seabee. They married June 27, 1945 and were blessed with 58 years of marriage. Paul passed on July 4, 2003.
Barbara and Paul built their first home in Altadena, California in 1946. Their first child Eileen Roxanne was born in 1946 followed by twins Scott and Chris in 1950. The family moved to Fullerton, California in 1955. Both Barbara and Paul were strong, faithful members of the Presbyterian Church in Fullerton.
In 1983 they moved to Waldport, Oregon and designed and built a beautiful home overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was in 1983 they began attending Community Presbyterian Church Waldport. Barbara faithfully led the Women’s Bible Study for over 25 years stepping down at age 93! She also served as President of the Presbyterian Women’s Group and served as an elder during her 38 years at the church.
Barbara loved to keep in touch with all extended family members for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas. For over 50 years Barbara blessed her family with encouraging and positive cards! She also loved to play Scrabble with her family over the years. She holds the unofficial Guinness Book of Records for creating 426 Scrabble words that sounded like words but were later found out to be creative thoughts in her mind and not words at all
Barbara leaves three children: Eileen Roxanne Beaver (husband Gary); Scott (wife Leslie); and Chris (wife Sandy). Five grandchildren: Ron Beaver; Jennifer Henry (husband Bryan); Kerri King (husband Jason); Jeremy Chase (wife Maria); and Ryan Chase (wife Teresa). Grandson Robert Beaver preceded her in death.
Eleven great-grandchildren: Brittany and Steven Beaver; Cameron, Jacob and Kyle King; Owen, Lucia and Jonas Chase; and Hudson, Maxon and Adelaide Chase.
Barbara will leave behind her love for Jesus Christ as an eternal legacy for her family and friends. Just a few hours before her peaceful passing, two beautiful eagles flew outside her bedroom window as caregivers and family gathered around her bed with Christian music blessing all in the room.
Gifts in Barbara’s honor will be gratefully received by Community Presbyterian Church Waldport, PO Box 520, Waldport, Oregon 97394. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, March 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church Waldport.
