Joyce Ann Chase

8/6/1938 - 10/14/2023

Joyce Ann (Ricci) Chase, 85, of Middletown, CT, found eternal peace at home on Saturday, October 14, 2023, in the arms of her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Gerald A. Chase for 63 years and high school sweetheart of more than 70 years filled with adventure and endless love. In addition to her husband Gerald, her legacy and heart will carry on through her daughter, Jill Chase of Middletown; her son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and France Chase; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Chase of Wallingford and Ashley Chase of Tallahassee, Florida; and many cherished nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Beverly (Mrs. Joseph) Miazga. Joyce was born in Meriden, CT, on August 6, 1938. She was the beautiful daughter of the late Anthony and Margaret (Carbone) Ricci. She was the sunshine and light of her father's life as he was hers. As a child, Joyce always had an adventurous and vivacious spirit that continued throughout her life. Joyce graduated from Meriden High School in 1956. She was a member of the Majorette's club and enjoyed marching in downtown parades. She attended the Business School Annex of Meriden High School where she studied business classes. Her first job was working at Katt's ice-cream and candy shop as a soda jerk. She loved the buzz of downtown and talking to and getting to know the many people of Meriden. Joyce began her business career at City Savings Bank as a bank teller and then became the administrative secretary to the president for many years. Together with her husband Gerald, she helped create JoVal Machine Company in 1963. While still working at City Savings Bank during the day, Joyce would also work countless hours at night tending to the financial end of their businesses. Joyce spent many years vacationing in her Florida and Vermont homes with her children and family. Her spirit and love for life helped to create countless fun memories and experiences for her children and family. Joyce loved to organize many family motorcycle trips, snowmobile excursions, camper vacations, skiing weekends and long drives exploring the countryside's. She also enjoyed quiet times playing games and talking with family and friends over a cup of coffee with a dose of laughter. For many years, Joyce loved to volunteer her time in her daughter's classroom at Moody School in Middletown. She was known as "Grandma Chase" and she adored the students and staff. She would often be found making crafts, organizing classroom supplies, cheering students on during concerts, helping with projects and using her love of writing by becoming a pen pal to children who needed a friend. Joyce found her spiritual home at First Congregational Church of Meriden. She joined the church in 1962 and devoted herself to helping the church and its people for more than 60 years. She was a member of the diaconate, a deaconess, a core organizer of the annual May Breakfast, and the treasurer of the Women's Fellowship. She donated much of her time and resources to the maintenance and preservation of the church. Most of all Joyce loved her church sisters, the "Fab 5", who gave their love to the church as well as to one another. Joyce's thoughtfulness and kindness could be felt by all of those that she loved in her writing. She began writing many love letters at the young age of 15 expressing her sincerity to her high school sweetheart Gerald. This would continue through the years while Gerald was away on leave with the Navy. A box full of both Joyce's and Gerald's letters is now a family treasure. She continued her written expressions in many forms throughout the years. In 1982 she become a contributing editor in New England Trail Rider Motorcycle Magazine. She wrote articles to show her pride and love for her son Jeffrey who raced motorcycles. For over 60 years, Joyce would meticulously record in her calendar every birthday, anniversary, or special event for the people she loved so that she could write them a note or card. She always wanted people to know that she was thinking of them, supporting them, cheering them on and how special and loved they were through her words. In later years, her most beloved hobby was becoming a member of The Horseless Carriage Club of America. With her husband Gerald, they traveled the world in their antique automobiles, toured national parks, historical museums, donated their time and cars for charitable events, and most importantly to Joyce was the lifelong friendships she made along the way. She loved dressing in authentic period clothing and carrying on the historical importance of the preservation of the hobby. Her greatest joy in life was to always be by the side of her husband, her partner for eternity, driving all the roads less traveled. Joyce's family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., on Friday, October 20th, from 4 to 7pm. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 21st, at 10:00 am at First Congregational Church of Meriden, 62 Colony Street. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Horseless Carriage Club of America, 3109 Fish Canyon Road, Duarte, CA 91010-1506 footnoted in memory of Joyce Chase and/or First Congregational Church of Meriden, 62 Colony Street, Meriden, CT 06451 www.wallingfordfh.com