Holly Chase

A very out going person who made friends easily, flowers were her music and Holly was always in bloom. Holly Elizabeth Chase died at her home Monday, January 27, 2003 after a long and courageous battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Holly was born January 21, 1977 in Weymouth, MA. The oldest of four children born to Paul and Beth Chase. Being the oldest, Holly was kind of a “mother hen” to her younger sister and brothers. From a very early age, her parents noticed that she was a very sensitive and emotional girl who always rooted for the underdog. She also was very curious about most anything, especially her siblings Christmas presents. She had a mischievous way of snooping around the tree, rattling packages and peeking in hiding spots around the house to figure what everybody else was going to receive.

Holly was also very open and outgoing towards people. As a girl, she and her family moved to California for a short time and Holly had no problem adjusting to her new surroundings and made friends there very easily. While living in California, Holly pursued with great intensity, her increasing interest in playing soccer. Her newfound love of the game led her brothers and sister to develop a tremendous interest in soccer as well. Since she was a very organized and focused individual, she was very serious about doing the best she could do in anything she set her mind to. Her Catholic faith was very important to her and during her confirmation classes, Holly always did more than just the bare minimum of what was required of her.

During high school in California and later when her father’s work brought the family back to the Boston area, Holly continued to developed her intense interest in floral design. She took as many classes as she could related to floral design and also served an internship with a florist during high school. After she graduated from Weymouth High School in 1995, Holly earned her degree in Floral Culture from the University of Massachusetts’ Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Just two weeks before she graduated, Holly received devastating news. She had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Her determination and focus to continue with her dream of being a floral designer weren’t dashed by this news.

Holly’s will to continue was an inspiration to everyone around her. Holly began to be interested in theater and she became an active member at Curtin Call Theater working as many jobs as her health would allow. Family friends in Weymouth organized a benefit in her honor to help her family with staggering medical bills and living expenses. The outpouring was almost overwhelming to the entire family and certainly gave Holly the motivation to continue on with her goals.

Before joining her family in the Kalamazoo area because of her father’s job, Holly made sure she had work for herself all lined up. When she stepped off of the airplane, she stepped right into her new job as a floral designer at Seivert Custom Creations. Her family said that she literally could make something breathtaking and beautiful from a simple stick.

After settling in to her new surroundings, Holly decided it was time to master the game of golf. So intent was she at hitting the ball just right, she would sometimes take a dozen or so practice swings before even hitting the ball. Her persistence paid off because in a short period of time, Holly was consistently shooting in the mid 40’s for a nine hole round. She was most proud of beating her brothers and sister.

As the illness that slowly robbed Holly of her strength progressed, it didn’t rob her of her determination or joy in life. Just last summer, she took her first vacation by herself with two friends to Florida. There, she enjoyed swimming in the ocean, dining on fresh seafood and riding a jet ski. Just two weeks ago, she finally realized her life long dream of riding horseback for the first time. She was grinning from ear to ear before during and long after that ride.

Members of Holly’s family include her parents Paul and Beth Chase of Portage, her sister Chrissy of Portage, her brothers Paul and Jared who both are attending college in Boston, MA and her grandparents Agnes and Bob Chase of Quincy, MA. Her grandparents John and Rosemarie Dolan preceded her in death.

Friends may spend time with her family Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Funeral Home Portage Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:30 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Fr. Kevin Covert, Celebrant. Holly will be buried in Portage Central Cemetery near the beautiful flower gardens that are planted next to the cemetery each spring.

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