Victoria B. Chase

Victoria "Vikki" Chase, 83, beloved wife of Algard A. Chase, died peacefully at the Hernando Pasco Hospice in Dade City, FL Thursday, (June 6, 2002) with her family by her side. Born on July 19, 1918 in Derby, she was the daughter of Philip and Stephanie (Skrybola) Bodrasky. Vikki grew up in Ansonia and graduated with honors from Ansonia High School. While there she played the trumpet in the band and the violin in the orchestra. She went on to attend the University of Connecticut at Storrs, majoring in chemistry. She also met her husband to be, Al Chase at UCONN. Vikki later completed a course of study at the Stone Business School and won the Connecticut State Accounting Award in 1939. Her education continued throughout her life, with a view of life as a fascinating adventure to be savored, shared and lived to the fullest. Already fluent in Russian and Ukrainian, Vikki studied Spanish and Chinese at Central Connecticut State University in preparation for family trips to Mexico, Spain and China, and took geology courses for fun. She won the Chinese Language and Culture Award at the university. Among the highlights of a lifetime of travels were a safari to Kenya and Airstream Caravans in China and South Africa. A dear friend of the family has written, "She was truly a one of a kind, dynamic, if you met her 'you would never forget her' person. I so enjoyed listening to her relate the stories of travel and people that she met and just listened in awe. We all 'lived' her travels as she told us all about them. I marveled at her gourmet cooking and that's why I love to cook to this day. Of course, she had a very special knack for putting on a spread that couldn't be equalled and was the talk of the town. She seemed to excel at everything she did .... sewing, cooking, planning parties, mastering a new language, making friends, raising her daughters and being a great wife. I guess what it comes down to is that there will never be an equal to or anyone like 'Mrs. C'." Besides her husband of 62 years, she leaves a daughter, Barbara Chase of Portland; a daughter, Donna Chase of Dade City, FL; a grandson, Michael Hicks of West Haven; a brother-in-law, John Bashura of Ansonia; a sister-in-law, Helen Yankaskas of Millington, NJ; nieces and nephews; and many, many good friends here in Connecticut and worldwide. She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothea Bashura of Ansonia; and her best friend, Norma Selvi of New Britain. Vikki wanted everyone to enjoy and share the adventure of life. If you wish, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice, or do a kindness for someone.