In Memory of Cynthia Rice Chase `62
Cynthia (Jean) Rice Chase, 82, of Laurel, Maryland, passed away peacefully at her home on June 11, 2023, after a long illness. Her devoted and loving husband and daughters were at her side.
Cynthia was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, to Mary Faber White and Kenneth William Rice on August 22, 1940, the oldest of two daughters. From age 11, she was raised by her father and his second wife, Mary Thelma Rice.
In 1962, Cynthia earned a degree in English from the College of Wooster in Ohio, where her future husband, Phillip John Chase, was also a student. They were married July 14, 1962, at Stone United Methodist Church in Meadville. Daughter Margaret Lucetta was born in 1963 in Pasadena, California. Daughter Rebecca Lynn was born in 1966 in Wooster, Ohio. In 1967, the family settled in Laurel, where Phil had taken a position with the National Security Agency (NSA).
In 1981, Cynthia also joined NSA as a Japanese linguist, after amassing 60 credits of language and economics courses while caring for her young daughters. She served in that role for 25 years. In the 1990s, she joined St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, where she sang alto in the choir; volunteered for Winterhaven, a faith-based homeless shelter; taught Sunday school; helped organize and teach at Camp St. Philip’s; and assisted with the church’s annual Main Street Festival Book Sale and Holly Days Bazaar. She was also a dedicated volunteer at Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS) for many years. As a champion for the mentally ill, those with autism, and the most vulnerable in society, she supported many charities and causes throughout her life.
Cynthia and Phil were married for more than 60 years and were each other’s best friend and constant companions. They enjoyed walking their dogs, traveling, planting roadside flowers, Polka and square dancing, and playing Wordle together. They also often visited the Chase family farm to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, hiking, and reunions with relatives and friends. With their daughters’ families, they regularly celebrated family birthdays, special occasions, and holidays and vacationed in Lewes, Delaware and Maine. Cynthia was especially close to and spent a lot of time with her oldest grandson, Andrew, whom she often tutored after school.
Cynthia was a voracious reader and maintained detailed journals throughout her life. She loved to write letters, short stories, and poems including haikus, some of which were published. She maintained two blogs for years, “And Deliver Us from Meadville” and “Life in Merlin,” which had loyal followings. Her entries were filled with humor, wit, and interesting stories about everyday life. She also enjoyed playing the piano and was interested in almost everything, including history, current events, social justice, civil rights, environmental issues, folklore and culture, religion, politics, language and literature, and music. Her love of music included many types, from Appalachian folk and bluegrass to international, classical, and choral music (especially King’s College Choir).
Her family and friends remember her as a thoughtful and private person, brilliant, funny and fun to be around, generous, and principled. She was known for her unusually clever puns and mastery of word games and puzzles but never one to “toot her own horn.” She was beloved and will be missed by all who knew her.
Cynthia is survived by her devoted and adoring husband, Phil, and daughters, Margo (Michael) Rice and Becky (Thomas) Fowler; grandchildren, Andrew Rice and Nathaniel and Mariel Fowler; sister, Barbara Rice (Ronald) Moline, and two half-sisters Cecilia (Azzam) Muhanna and Margaret (Russell) Taylor; sister-in-law, Cathryn (Stanley) Piekarski; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many friends. Another half-sister, Evelyn (Gary) Flowers, and a brother-in-law, Joseph David Chase, preceded her in death.
Posted in on August 22, 2023.
