Obituary of Bertha Chase

December 22, 2020

Bertha Chase, 94, of Greenwich Village, NYC, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Born January 30, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Marie (Martines) Fauci. She will be remembered as a generous and kind individual who embodied an optimism and enthusiasm for life that was contagious and she never had a bad word to say about anyone. Upon graduation from Sewanhaka High School, Long Island, Bertha joined the secretary pool at McGraw-Hill. The "McGraw-Hill Girls" were quite social, hosting dances and attending dinners the company sponsored for returning service men. Bertha was devoted to McGraw-Hill for her entire career as they recognized her intelligence and hard work; she moved up the ranks until her name was on the masthead of their Chemical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering magazines. She was given many opportunities to travel on behalf of the publisher and also began to travel extensively in her vacation time. She collected souvenir spoons and other treasures on her travels and enjoyed telling stories of her experiences all over the world.


A consummate New Yorker, she relished all the city had to offer. She was a patron and season ticket holder to the Metropolitan Opera and attended many other musical and art events. She visited the museums, supported the NYPL, and was a delightful tour guide to family and friends from out of town. She told stories of the architecture, always found a good place to eat, and knew her way around the transit system but also knew when everyone was tired and it was time to hail a cab. An avid learner, the city always provided something new to learn or experience.


During her retirement she was part of the Friends of La Guardia Place initiative which renovated the barren public plazas along that street and commissioned a statue of its namesake. She was pleased with all they accomplished and enjoyed the company of the fellow volunteers; she served as the organization's treasurer until her death. Although her circle began to narrow as she grew older, she was ever present in Greenwich Village where she attended classes and ate meals at "the best of the New York City Senior Centers." She remained social with her friends at local dining establishments and made new friends wherever she went and often commented on how people "adopted her" and looked after her needs. She was convinced from her experience that New Yorkers are the kindest people in the world. To the doormen, the fruit seller on the corner, the restaurant workers, the "Visiting Neighbors" and the NYU professors who lived in her building, she was deeply grateful for your kindness.


She is preceded in death by her beloved older brother Vincent J. Fauci and survived by a niece Kathleen and her husband Ewan Park, a nephew, James and his wife Naomi Fauci, grandnieces and nephews Erin Park-Mash, Julius Park, Sara Park and Angelina Fauci, all of Pennsylvania; the Domanico cousins, Geri Domanico Bruno and Annette Domanico Bauer and their families; Ernie Chase of Florida and Gigi Chase LeVesque of Massachusetts and many friends who treated her as family including Edward Sullivan and Clayton Kirking.

Funeral Services

Visitation

December 30, 2020

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Greenwich Village Funeral Home

199 Bleecker Street

New York, NY 10012

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Bertha was such a beautiful soul. A sweet, loving caring woman that deeply touched my heart. She was my grandmother by marriage to my motherĀ“s father. I stayed close with Bertha through the years. We talked on the phone often and she came to visit me as well. She will be greatly missed. I love you Bertha, I know your resting in peace now with the angels.


Posted by: Michelle Thibault - , - January 11, 2021
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