TOPSHAM – Janice M. Chase, 88, died Aug. 10, 2008, in Brunswick. Janice was born Jan. 25, 1920, in Bangor, the younger daughter of Earl and Hazel Merrill. As a child she spent the school year in Bangor and the summers at the family farm in East Eddington. While studying at the University of Maine, Orono, Janice met Gordon Chase, a fellow student. Their shared enjoyment of dancing blossomed into romance. When Gordon joined the Marine Corps after Pearl Harbor, they were married secretly in 1942, before he shipped off to fight in the Pacific. When Gordon returned safely from the war in 1945, a decorated lieutenant colonel, their daughter, Sharon, was two years old. A second daughter, Andrea, arrived in 1946. Janice was a devoted wife and mother. She volunteered a great deal of time in her daughters’ schools and was chauffeur extraordinaire. Janice loved card games and was an excellent bridge player. She developed into a great cook, whose favorite recipes always brought raves. In late life, Janice had been afflicted with osteoporosis and emphysema, but without complaining she had become the rock of support for Gordon, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. She will be greatly missed by her family. Janice was predeceased by her parents; and older sister, Arlene Bickford. She is survived by her husband, Gordon; daughters, Sharon Bynum and her husband, Bill, and Andrea Argraves and her husband, Neil; nephew, James Bickford and wife, Tess; granddaughter, Betsy Bynum Hill and husband, Greg; and grandsons, Phillip Argraves and wife, Melissa, Randall Argraves and wife, Gretchen, William Bynum, Russell Bynum and wife, Terri, and Brett Bynum and wife, Magdalena; six great-grandchildren, Garrett and Ryan Argraves, Helen Argraves, Geoffrey Bynum, Elinore Bynum and Mila Bynum. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of Brackett Funeral Home, Brunswick.
JANICE MERRILL CHASE
