Jane Reynolds Chase

Jane Reynolds Chase died peacefully in her bed at 35 Hersey Road in South Harwich on November 23, 2025. Lord knows she wanted to live longer. She survived three challenges of breast cancer, but relentless lung cancer wore her body down. She maintained her routine of sitting in her chair or in the sunroom reading, filling out greeting cards and calling her sister Lilian until the end. No complaints of discomfort. Hopeful for a recovery.
   Born on October 27,1934 in NH, Jane arrived from Peterborough to Cape Cod in 1956 at age 22. A farm girl whose parents Carl (Reynolds) and Laura May (Wright) had 12 children. She worked as a nanny at Naushon Islands and Harwich where she met Robert Chase, a 12th generation Cape Codder. They married in 1957 and raised 6 children in South Harwich:  Mel, Kevin, Bradford (Donna), Jennifer, Cynthia, and Daniel. She had her hands full with the Chase clan that included her father-in-law, Phillip Chase, who also came from a family with 12 children. Bob built the house near Red River that held birthday and holiday parties for nearly 70 years as the family grew to 15 grandchildren - Emily, Jenna, Evan, Kati Rose, Kelley  (Steve), Kathryn (Max), Megan (Ryan), Jayson (Verna), Caleb (Elise), Ryan, Carly, Cody, Samuel, Benjamin, Parker; and 12 great-grandchildren – Elliot, Jeremy,  Christopher, Violet, Ethan, Hunter, Cam, Cora, Rose, Noah, Jordan and Blake. Always with open arms and an eye for style, as found with her two adopted sons, Allen Vania and Emma Karamba.
Jane cared dearly for each of those grand and great-grandchildren. She devoted so much time doing the little things to let them know they were loved. Everyone got cards and gifts for birthdays and cards for traditional holidays.  She never stopped giving her time and love. With that uplifting smile and exuberance. She worked as a 3rd grade schoolteacher at Harwich Elementary. Followed by 60 years of volunteering in Harwich that included breast cancer advocacy and Silent Springs, YMCA swim teacher, sponsoring Fresh Air kids for the summer, Harwich Junior Women’s Club, Cub Scout den mother, and recently with the Harwich Historical Society. Jane and Bob had 3 catboats over these years, holding a berth in Saquatucket Harbor for many years and sailing around Nantucket Sound. These activities came with so many cherished friendships. The family is thankful for all of Jane’s friends and relations and respectful of their sorrow and fond memories.
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, December 12, 2025 from 3-6 p.m. at Doane, Beal & Ames, 260 Main St. (Rt. 28) in West Harwich. A celebration of Jane’s life will take place at the funeral home on Saturday at 11 a.m.  followed by burial at Island Pond Cemetery where she will be laid aside her beloved husband Robert.
To make a donation in Jane’s name, please consider the three below places:
Silent Spring Institute, https://silentspring.org/support-our-work
Mass. Breast Cancer Coalition, https://mbcc.org/
Harwich Historical Society, https://harwichhistoricalsociety.org/about/
To share a memory or for online condolences visit https://www.doanebealamesharwich.com/