Theresa I. Chase (Plante)

SKOWHEGAN – Theresa I. Chase (Plante) passed peacefully at Cedar Ridge Center on Aug. 31, 2025, at the age of 89, just two months shy of her 90th birthday.

She was born in Skowhegan, on Oct. 29, 1935. She was the daughter of Rose (Gallant) and Ernest Plante. She attended Skowhegan Catholic School and Madison Schools. She had five children with her first husband, David Clark, whom she married on Dec. 26, 1953. She married Lloyd Chase on Sept. 3, 1966, and they lived in East Madison until 1992 when they moved to Arkansas. She returned to Maine in 1997 following his passing.

She worked for many years in the shoe shops in several towns, then Dirigo Stitching Inc. until 1992. In Arkansas she worked as a school custodian and then a kitchen/diner helper in a local nursing home.

She loved going out to eat with family or friends, enjoyed working in the gardens (vegetables and flowers) and especially her raspberry patch which she was very proud of. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 39, Madison for 38 years. She was the Founding member of a group of retired women (mostly widows) who called themselves “The Recycled Teenagers”. They met every Tuesday at various restaurants. At times there were as many as 24. She would call everyone on Monday so she would have a head count to make the reservation. They celebrated each one of their Birthdays with cards and cake. She loved going to different fairs to watch her partner, Walt, do the tractor pulls. Mom faithfully sent birthday and anniversary cards to every family member (which kept growing) and friends even when she was in the nursing home. She loved to sew quilts for her grandchildren and crocheted afghans for many loved ones. In the last year that she was a resident at Cedar Ridge, she discovered that she loved Bingo!! Once a month, they held all day Bingo with prizes. When she won, she usually gave the prize to another resident or a family member. She was an outspoken, but kindhearted, hard-working woman. One of her granddaughters affectionately referred to her as the Tasmanian Devil.

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Lloyd Chase; special partner, Walt Robbins; father of her children, David Clark; son, Benmore Clark; grandson, Travis Clark; great-granddaughter, Alexis Bailey; stepparents Alfred and Geni Vashon.

She is survived by her children Harriet (John) Bryant, David (Robyn) Clark, Ronald (Sally Burns) Clark, Meresa Erving; stepchildren Mark (Judi) Chase, Kathleen Clark, Allison (Bill) Weatherford, Kim (Eric) Nutting, special cousin Pam (George) Virgin and her very special cat Gracie. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and several cousins.

The family would like to thank the very thoughtful and caring nursing staff of Cedar Ridge Center and Beacon Hospice (Crissy, Alison and Niki) for the care they provided Mom during her stay. A special Thank You to Tiffany Poulin for the above and beyond compassion and patience she gave Mom.

There will be no public viewing. A celebration of Theresa’s life and services will be announced at a later date. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared with her family at directcremationofmaine.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Theresa’s name to: Somerset Humane Society

Animal Shelter,

PO Box 453,

Skowhegan, ME 04976.