Marie Christine Chase

1923 - 2017

Marie Christine Chase, 94, passed away peacefully in her sleep on 12/28/2017 at home in Portland, OR. She was a former resident of Mekoryuk and Bethel.

Marie was born in West Allis, WI, in 1923. In 1948, Marie married Joe L. Chase, whom she met at a USO dance while he was in the Navy. They moved to Seattle, WA, and in 1956 to Alaska, where her husband worked for the Alaska Native Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs, first living in the village of Mekoryuk on Nunivak Island from 1956 to 1960, later moving to Bethel, Nome, Sitka and Juneau.

While living in Bethel from 1960 to 1962, Marie worked at Swanson’s store in the office and also could be found at the cash register at the front counter. Her daughter and son attended elementary and junior high classes at the Bethel school.

In Juneau, Marie worked for 15 years in the fiscal office of the Office of the Governor under three administrations: William A. Egan, Jay Hammond and Bill Sheffield. Her retirement reception was hosted at the Governor’s Mansion.

She retired in 1986 and moved with her second husband Edmund Hinke to Port Angeles and Sequim, WA. Before divorcing in 1991, they traveled to Europe, China, Australia, Canada and the Caribbean. Marie moved in 2015 to a retirement community in Portland.

Marie was a member of the Pioneers of Alaska. She enjoyed bowling, cooking and baking, latch-hook, embroidery, knitting and spending time with her family. She volunteered with a group in Sequim to sew quilts for foster children and others in need.

She is survived by her daughter Julianne Chase (Kevin) Patton of Bremerton, WA, and son Michael F. Chase of Portland, OR, three grandsons and seven great-grandchildren.

At her request no service was held. Her ashes were interred at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Seattle, WA., with her family members present.