Beatrice M. Allen Chase

1915 - 2016

Beatrice M. Allen Chase, 101
FALMOUTH - Beatrice "Nana Bea" M. Allen Chase, 101, died Friday April 22, 2016, at the Barron Center. She was born Beatrice Madeline Allen on Feb. 13, 1915, to Vera Allen and Burton Stockford in Litchfield, Maine.
Bea was raised by her grandparents, Rob and Maude Allen in Litchfield where she graduated from Litchfield Academy in 1933, and attended nursing school in Waterville. She married William F. Chase of South Monmouth and they had three children, Robert, Louise and Fred. The family moved to Falmouth in the early 40's where they raised their children. Beatrice was a 50 year member of the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses Association where she served as president at the state and local level for several terms. She was an accomplished piano player and provided many hours of entertainment for friends and family (especially during the war) and played both the organ and piano at the church. Bea enjoyed moose hunting and was drawn three times in the Maine lottery prompting her family to join her on the hunt. Bea had the first auto, a REO, in Litchfield and driving became an important part of her life. She enjoyed fishing as long as she was not in a boat.
Bea was a dedicated mother and grandmother, and found her career calling in nursing and became a first rate charge nurse at the Barron Center in the 1950's. She also held a nursing home administrator's license and upon retirement, did private duty where she again made many friends. Beatrice was honored by the "State Remember Me Program" in 2015 for her service to the nursing profession.
Bea was predeceased by her son, Robert M. Chase of Falmouth; grandson, Robert William Bell of Gray; great-grandson's Robert Charles Black of Texas and Nathaniel C. Ames of Standish; and sons-in-law, Charles Bell of Standish and Harold Erickson of Portland. Survivors include Louise Chase Bell Erickson of Portland, Fred William Chase and wife Diana of Falmouth, daughter-in-law, Elizabeth L. Chase of Falmouth; grandchildren, Michael W. Harmon and wife Diane of Falmouth, Gary A. Harmon and wife Betsy of Gorham, Peter Robert Chase of Portland, Scott William Chase of Pittsfield, granddaughter-in-law, Kathleen Bell of Lincoln, Richard C. Bell and wife Sheila of California, Russell M. Bell of California, Peggy J. Bell of Yarmouth, Carol L. Black of Texas, Phillip B. Chase and wife Deborah of Falmouth, David A. Chase and wife Anne of Yarmouth, Kimberly A. Brickett and husband Rick of Lyman, Susan L. Chase of Falmouth; great-grandchildren, Samantha Cook of Topsham, Steven Cook of New Hampshire, Kyle Bell of Westbrook, Corina Bell of Yarmouth, James and Karilyn Black of Texas, Kayla and Kaitlyn Bell of California, Chad Chase and wife Jessica of New Hampshire, Christopher, William, and Michael Chase of Falmouth, Diana Bingham and husband Michael of Indiana, Amy Sylvestre and husband Dan of Dayton, Chase Blanchard of Windham, Joshua Verrill of Cumberland, Nicholas Harmon of Falmouth, Corey Harmon of Gorham, Amanda Chase of Pittsfield; great-great grandchildren, Maria and McKenzie Sylvestre of Dayton, Hunter, Parker and Lily Chase of New Hampshire, Brandon Keene and Ryan Bell of Standish.
The family would like to thank the thoughtful and caring staff of the Portland Center and Barron Center for making her final years enjoyable.
There will be an hour of visitation at 2:00 p.m., Friday April 29, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel at 76 State Street in Gorham. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., burial will follow at Dow's Corner Cemetery on Cape Road in Standish. Following services, family and friends are welcome to attend a reception at the home of Philip and Deborah Chase, 1 Tavern Way, Falmouth. To express condolences and to participate in Bea's online tribute please visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com
Those wishing to remember Bea may make donations in her name to:

The Activities Department at the Portland Center
68 Devonshire Street
Portland, ME 04103 or:
Barron Center
1145 Brighton Ave.
Portland, ME 04102-1025