NORTHEAST HARBOR – Valerie M. Frye Chase Tracy, our mother, grandmother and beloved friend, left us Oct. 9, 2006, after a short illness with a brain tumor. Valerie was born Dec. 22, 1930, on Main Street, Northeast Harbor, the youngest daughter of Capt. Ralph J. and Georgia (Lunt) Frye. Valerie resided in Northeast Harbor with great pride, as this was her true beloved home. She would always say “Why would anyone want to go anywhere else, when they have this beautiful place to be.” Somes Sound and Valley Cove were truly her favorite places. She was born on Main Street at her grandfather’s house, where she lived as a child. After marriage to Lowell R. “Dick” Chase Sr., she resided beside Pine Tree Market off Main Street. When married to S.E. “Buss” Tracy Jr., she lived on Tracy Road and later moved further down Tracy Road with Kenneth Taylor, to a property that was next door to her birthplace. Val truly made a complete circle in her 75 years. Val graduated from Gilman High School in Northeast Harbor in 1949 and was captain of the basketball team for one year. She started working for many summer cottages and later was secretary for St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and Mount Desert Nursing Association and also worked part-time at the Northeast Harbor Post Office. She was a Girl Scout leader for several years. She was postmaster in Northeast Harbor from 1988 until her retirement in 1992. Valerie will be lovingly remembered by everyone for her beautiful singing voice and numerous musical styles. She was a true Red Sox fan and was ecstatic when they won the series in 2004. Val was a commissioner for Mount Desert Housing Authority and a member of the Mount Desert Isle Chapter DAR, of which she was very proud, and held the office of treasurer and was the current vice-regent. Valerie is survived by her son, Lowell R. Chase Jr. and wife, Teresa “Terri’ and their children, Stephen and Kristen, of Bangor; her daughter, Kathleen M. (Chase) Branch and husband, Bertram, of Seal Harbor; her companion and pet poodle, Heidi; also her dear “Daisy” friends, Carole Murray-Bumford and Shirley McGarr; and others too numerous to list, but all are known to her family. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Anita. Valerie and her family wish to express their sincere thanks for your phone calls, gifts of food, flowers, cards, kind words and prayers, during this difficult time. A graveside memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Seal Harbor Cemetery. A gathering will be held at Seal Harbor Community Center, Seal Harbor, after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given, in memory of Valerie, to the Southwest Harbor Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 434, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679; the Mount Desert Nursing Association, P.O. Box 397, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662; Hancock County Hospice, 14 McKenzie Ave., Ellsworth, ME 04605; or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert.
VALERIE M. FRYE CHASE TRACY
