Alice Barbara Chase

August, 2023; I just came across this memorial page for Barbara Chase; –

I was one of Barbara’s students at Heritage Campus in the late 1970’s, just after the move out of the bowling alley and into the ‘classic’ building on Maisonneuve Blvd. That was the building with the famous (infamous?) “dragon room” and a pre-fab gym that was very… nippy… in the winter.

Anyway, I was a lousy high-school student, getting into CEGEP by the skin of my teeth.

I credit Barbara with helping me pull out of my academic nose-dive, patiently teaching me how to analyze a piece of text, how to perform research and how to properly convey my ideas on paper.

My first class with her was “English Lit.”. The thick, green textbook was the “Norton Anthology of English Literature” which included Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, etc. Because of Barbara I still have that textbook.

With respect to assignments, I still clearly remember that Barbara once allowed me to submit the SAME work THREE TIMES and with each submission she provided detailed feedback, both written and verbal.

I must have sat beside her desk in the faculty room over a dozen times while she patiently explained what I did wrong – and more importantly – what I did right.

She was also the only teacher who allowed students to smoke during her class, but you had to bring your own ashtray! Ooooo the ’70’s.

She was such a good teacher I even signed up for a 2nd year class (American Literature) for no reason other than she was teaching that class. And Barbara was a major reason why I eventually earned my DEC.

With all that said, my biggest regret over the years is never having been able to thank her personally.

Because of Barbara I have been able to live & work in a half-dozen countries, have held sr mgmt positions in a number of firms and live a very comfortable life today.

Very sincerely I say: “thank you, Ms. Chase”.

Fun conversation with Barbara’s sorority daughter Diane Hubbard Flanders today about BU memories. I am as Barbara’s sorority grandmother

If you’re ever on the East coast, Terry, we’ll go visit Diane and share more fun memories…

So sorry to hear about Barbara ❤️We’ll keep her in our
dreams! Comfort and prayers from jewel bland blake m, Mashpee, MA

Barbara was such a kind woman. She helped me very much when I first started at Heritage College. She had vision, charm and wit. My condolences to Terry and family.

I can still picture her sitting front and center with both hands wrapped around a large mug of warm tea in her “ready position”. She had this look on her face……..I always wondered what she was thinking. I think it was something like, lets see what I can do with these young minds today! We always had such great conversations and participation from everyone. Such a master of the craft!
My deepest condolences to Terry and family.

Namaste, T.

I have been at a loss for words since Barbara’s passing. It has only been about ten years since we first connected, despite the fact that my mother, Katherine, and Barbara were first cousins. They grew up not far from each other, but were separated just enough by age to have missed each other on their respective paths.

I met Barbara as a result of a genealogical puzzle. Our common ancestor was a fellow named Charles W. Fitzgerald, whose origins I could never pin down. Having exhausted all the written records, I tried to approach the problem through DNA, by triangulating the results of tests from my mother, her cousin Mimi, and Barbara. But I didn’t know where Barbara was living. After much Google sleuthing, I found Terry’s book My Green Age online, which led me to Victoria, which led me to a phone number. It is a little hard to imagine now, but in the heat of my genealogical zeal, I ‘cold called’ Barbara to ask her for a DNA sample, hoping that she might have some recollection of a relative named John Grimes. What is even more remarkable, in retrospect, is that I somehow made it past Terry’s call screening (mine must have seemed like a prank call at first), and that Barbara graciously agreed to take part in my research.

Years have elapsed since then, and alas, there have been no genealogical breakthroughs concerning the mystery ancestor (yet). But the immensely greater discovery was Barbara and Terry. Nataley and I have since enjoyed many wonderful visits, exchanges of emails, and phone calls. Two summers ago, my mother – who lives outside Boston – accompanied us on a visit to Victoria. The cousins had not laid eyes on each other since the funeral of my mother’s brother in the late 1950s. It was a lovely reunion, which we all hoped would be the first of more visits.

It is too hard now to think of Barbara in the past tense, or to accept that having so recently found her that we have lost her again. We are immensely grateful to have had the time with her that we did. She was a truly remarkable person, and her absence will profoundly affect us. For me, and for my mother, and for Nataley, finding Barbara was the discovery of a treasure. But as it turns out, now and then in life, finding one treasure leads to another, and so Barbara gave us Terry. As Tennyson wrote, “Though much is taken, much abides.” Thank you, Barbara, and Godspeed.

I took Barbara’s History of Art class at Cegep in Hull back in the late 70s and I’ve never forgotten her. I’m very sorry to hear of her passing but am happy that I was fortunate enough to spend that one short year in her presence.
My condolences to Terry, and to Barbara’s family.

There is a hole in the world. Barbara was such a bright being in every sense.It was such a delight to have daily chats with her at the college in the old days. Her energy and enthusiasm for the students and the subjects she taught showed how she valued both.
She was also a most supportive (and fun!)friend. I will miss our decades-long exchange of handwritten notes.
Deep condolences to Terry and family.
Jane Douglas

John Minhinnick
Very sad to hear of Barbara’s death. I remember her vividly and the many happy hours sharing office space and attending meetings of one kind or another with her at Heritage. She was unfailingly cheerful, helpful, competent and fair. She added much to the lives of all of us at the College.
Condolences to Terry.

Lon & Patti Noel

We have fond memories of our trip to Victoria and will always remember Barbara as a wonderful and interesting hostess and person- warm, intelligent and delightful to visit with.
Our best to you Terry.

We are very sad to hear about Barbara’s passing. She was a most accomplished and intelligent woman. Mara, our daughter, was very much influenced by her. She took her first degree in Art History because of Barbara’s inspired teaching. To Terry and family our condolences. Al & Caroline Pollock

Barbara was a beautiful person, as well as witty and wise, honest and caring. I always admired her. When I think of Barbara, it puts a smile on my face.

Virtual, heartfelt hugs to you Terry.

Terry, so sorry to hear this. Terry, be strong like her, I’m sure it will be hard. You guys were the best neighbors, friends, and godparents to 2 of our children. Goodbye Barbara.

Terry,

I’m so very sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. As you know, you both played a significant role in my life when I needed that support most. I honestly don’t know where I would have ended up without both of you. I always knew I could count on you for sage advice and guidance. Having benefitted so much from your kindness, I’ve made a point of trying to help others in the same way.

Barbara was a great role model for young women: brilliant, funny, kind and fair. She was also a wonderful teacher (as were you). I will miss her kindness and generosity of spirit. Thinking of you during this difficult time.

Anne Marie Laurin

I am sorry for your loss colleen, I still remember going to visit when we were in Ottawa for the union.

Barbara was big part of my life as a young person starting university far from home in Beautiful BC. Like my own mom, Barbara was a confident and accomplished woman (so it was no surprise to me that they were long-time friends). She inspired me to study hard, enjoy the campus experience, and try to get better at Jeopardy (it takes a strong sense of self worth to watch Jeopardy with someone as clever and well-educated as Barbara). She looked out for me like I was one of her own — I crashed in the flat downstairs, she fed me up at Thanksgiving, she let me store mountains of my junk in her basement in the summers, and she kept me up on Victoria politics and neighbourhood gossip. I can still see Barbara waving to me from the porch of her home with Terry, wearing a cozy sweater and telling me to be sure to email. She always signed her emails “Much love, Barbara” and I loved Barbara right back. My condolences to her whole family, and especially to Terry — I love you too.

Barbara was a wonderful person who made the world a much better place. My thoughts are with Terry and family.