Hortense E. Chase

Hortense E. “Hardy” Chase, age 98, of Swansea, IL, born on May 31, 1919 in East St. Louis, IL, died on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at her residence.

Hardy was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved her family, and adored her great grand babies, Jordyn, Ashleigh, Reagan and Madison. She was a second mother to her 2 grandbabies Tommy and Cristen and played a large roll in their upbringing and character. They both got to enjoy their grandpa Tom and grandma Hardy camping and fishing and just interacting with them in their home. Hardy loved the Cardinals and could talk baseball with anyone. She played fast pitch softball into her 40’s. She was the MVP at shortstop among the 20 year olds that she played with and against. Many of them called her Mom. She was a Mother to many of her nieces, nephews and her daughter-in-law Jacque. Hardy loved music and played guitar at all the family gatherings. She often spread her laughter, sometimes until she cried. As a wife and mother she would get her husband Tom and both children off to work and school with full breakfasts and then get herself read for her day, which would be anything cleaning the window inside and out to painting the entire room. Just scratching the surface of her work ethic.

She didn’t go down without a fight and now God has a great worker at his side. You are forever blessed Mom and we are looking forward to being with you again. Your loving family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas H. Chase; her parents, Bert and Katherine, nee Neff, Bailey; her sisters, Myrtle Lusk, Marie Bridges and Josie Chase; and her brothers, Plummer Bailey, LeRoy Bailey and Bob Bailey.

Hardy is survived by her children, Karen J. Chase of Swansea, IL and Thomas L. (Jackie) Chase, Sr. of Swansea, IL; her grandchildren, Thomas L. (Suzanne) Chase, Jr. of Smithton, IL, and Cristen (Johnie) Rybicki of Belleville, IL; her great grandchildren, Jordyn Chase, Ashleigh Chase, Reagan Rybicki and Madison Rybicki; and her special friend, David Dover. Hardy is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be made to Vitas Hospice Care Services

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd, Fairview Heights, IL.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd, Fairview Heights, IL with Pastor David Harbison officiating. Interment will be in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.

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