Carol Ann Chase

Carol Ann Chase, 69 of Bel Air, MD died on October 11, 2010 at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital. Born in New Hampshire, she was the daughter of the late Robert Parks Chase and Beverly Anne Bodet Chase.

Ms. Chase was a long time resident of Harford County, and was particularly fond of the Darlington community where she resided for many years. Her friend Nancy Hume remembers "Carol loved nothing better than to get in her car and travel the by-ways of Harford County, where she knew all the best spots to visit. She spent many hours at the Conowingo Dam and the Mill in Susquehanna State Park, reading and enjoying the scenery."

Ms. Chase attended the University of Pennsylvania and later attended the adult program at the College of Notre Dame. She spent most of her professional life in service to the State of Maryland and Harford County. From 1971 to 1973 she was Coordinator of Development for the Phoenix Festival Theater at Harford Community College. During that time, she also volunteered for Art Helton who was running for Harford County Council, and joined his campaign office for his run for State Senate. Senator Helton said "I would not have won that election had it not been for Carol." From 1974 to 1981 she was Helton's administrative assistant in Annapolis. His office was often cited as one of the best run offices in the Senate, due in large part to Carol's efficiency and wonderfully warm manner with everyone she met.

In 1981 Ms. Chase began working for the State Department of Human Resources. Her tenure began as an administrative assistant in an office that subsequently became the Community Programs Administration. Later she was appointed as Deputy Director in the Community Services Administration. In her last position before her retirement, she was the Executive Assistant for the Deputy Secretary of Programs. In this capacity, she coordinated the communication flow from the Department's five administrations to this office including budgeting, legislation, federal mandates, and constituent issues.
Throughout her professional career, Carol was committed to providing quality services to the underserved and her work reflected the very core of who she was; a person who had a great appreciation for, sensitivity to, and compassion for human life with all of its complexities. Never seeking reward or praise, she always looked for a quality solution for making people's lives better and more fulfilling. Carol had a tremendous philanthropic sense and gave freely of her time and money to help those less fortunate.

After her retirement from State service, she once again became active in politics. Ever the Democrat, she volunteered for the Obama for President Campaign, the Ann Helton Campaign for County Executive, the O'Malley Campaign for Governor, and the Frank Kratovil Campaign for Congress. She enjoyed traveling with her long time companion Russ Cook and shared his passion for riding the steam trains and railroads wherever they traveled. Russ preceded her in death.

Ms. Chase is survived by her cousins Robin Bodet Miller of Katy, Texas, Judy Kenny of Norristown, Pennsylvania, and distant relatives. She will be truly missed by her many friends and colleagues.

No services are planned.

An expression of condolence may be made by a gift in memory of Carol Ann Chase to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 100 North Charles Street, Suite 211, Baltimore, MD 21201-3805 or to Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202.