Shortly before dawn on a sparkling New Year’s morning, Jan. 1, 2013, Joan Ardery Chase of Langley slipped away peacefully.

Born Nov. 29, 1918, in Cincinnati, Ohio she grew up in the bluegrass country of Lexington, Kentucky with her parents and three brothers. Joan received her bachelor’s degrees in English Literature and French from Transylvania University in Lexington and her master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Joan was married to Rev. Herbert T. Chase in 1942, also of Lexington, who predeceased her in 1996. Together, they raised their family in California, Missouri, then on to the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Both Joan and her husband always had a desire to see the world, learn new languages and to immerse themselves in other cultures. In 1952, they had the opportunity to move to Lima, Peru. Here they spent a very happy 6 years and loved every minute of it. They made many friends from around the world and Joan corresponded with her closest friends there until recently.

After returning to the U.S. in 1958, the family lived in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. After her husband passed away, Joan decided to move west to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She soon became actively involved in the South Whidbey community, enjoyed evenings at WICA and at the Clyde, matinees at the Whidbey Children’s Theater and concerts and poetry readings. A stop at the Tilth Farmers Market was one of the highlights of her weekend. She had great fun picnicking and walking on the beaches with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She looked for joy and beauty in everything.

Joan had a very rich life and touched so many lives with warmth and wit. An accomplished poet, she always found the perfect words at exactly the right moment. Joan had so many interests and pursued them all with exuberance. She was a member of Langley United Methodist Church.

Joan is survived by her children and their spouses: Charlotte Chase, Bert Chase and Lenard Langlois, Erin and Walter Ruthensteiner; by her grandchildren and their spouses; Christopher and Sabine Ruthensteiner, Jennifer and Sebastian Schiavone-Ruthensteiner, Kiera Chase, Maegan Chase, and Nathan Chase; by close family members, Esther Chase, and Dima Rabinovich; and by her great grandchildren, Sol, Gabriel, Katya, Emile, and Joel. Joan died peacefully at home where a family vigil was held and her life celebrated, followed by cremation in Mount Vernon on Jan. 3.

There will be a memorial service and celebration of her life at the Langley United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. Refreshments will follow where memories of Joan’s life can be shared. Interment will be in Lexington, Kentucky.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Joan had so many local favorites and may have suggested our local libraries, Whidbey Island Nourishes, Friends of Friends, Whidbey Island Children’s Theater, Tilth, Good Cheer, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Meerkerk Gardens and music scholarships for aspiring young musicians.