York - Clarice "Rusty" Orff Chase passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 25, 2022.  Born in Saugus MA, on April 14, 1926.  Rusty was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Weldon "Bud" Chase and her siblings, Eleanor Wheeler, Kenneth Orff and Elaine Sawyer. Rusty was a graduate of Framingham State Teacher's College and later received a Master's degree from UConn.  Following her graduation in 1945, she accepted a teaching position in Portland, OR.  It was an indication of her yearning to explore new horizons, accept a challenge and embrace life.  That zest was manifested in her love of family, friends, travel, teaching and all that life offered.  Recognizing Bud's love of skiing she gladly took up the sport. Recognizing Bud's love of camping she embraced it also, albeit lukewarmly.  She twice drove the kids across the country pulling a pop-up trailer on her own. Her family recalls Rusty sitting on kid's chairs hosting tea parties for grandchildren and summers when the boys brought home frogs from giggin' in Arnolds Pond so she could fry up frog's legs for lunch.  Her 7 grandchildren will forever remember Mimi's penchant for serving strawberry shortcake for dinner. Just strawberry shortcake.

Rusty and Bud lived in Simsbury CT where she and Bud built a welcoming home for family and neighbors.  She put her teaching degree to work teaching Home Economics at Henry James Junior High for almost 20 years. She was well suited to her teaching vocation as she was a consummate cook,  skilled seamstress and creative gardener.  Rusty and Bud spent their retirement years between Simsbury and their beloved "Grey Birches" cottage in Melvin Village, NH on Lake Winnipesaukee. And while she loved the Lake, a piece of her heart never left mid-coast Maine where she spent her summers growing up.

Rusty spent the last six years at Sentry Hill Retirement community in York Harbor, Maine.  We express our deep appreciation to the staff at Sentry Hill for the kind care provided to her.

Rusty is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren; her son, Brooks and Nancy (Schlichter) Chase of Seattle WA and their two daughters Abby and Carlyn; her son, Jared and Ann (Jones) Chase of Boston, MA and their three children and two grandchildren, Samantha Jenkins, Chandler Harter and Jared, Jr; and her daughter, Kristin (Chase) Taylor and her husband Don Taylor of Nashville, TN and their two sons, Chase and Brooks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Bright Focus Foundation for macular degeneration research https://donate.brightfocus.org/mdr/donate or the First Church of Christ, Simsbury www.Fccsimsbury.breezechms.com . To leave online condolences please visit www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com . Care for the Chase family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey & Son Funeral Home.