Dorothy (Chase) Chase

Dorothy Chase, MD, passed away on April 9, 2019, in Milton, Massachusetts, at age 84, after a  courageous battle against Alzheimer’s disease. She was born September 17th, 1934 in Brockton, Massachusetts to Edward Chase and Helen Rae Chase. She grew up in Brockton and later Plymouth, graduating from Plymouth High School in 1952. She graduated from Tufts University in 1957, and enjoyed attending many class reunions with friends from both schools. She was married to Dr. Charles T Cloutier, with whom she had three daughters.

After their divorce she fought against the reigning patriarchy of the time and became the third woman graduate of Boston University Medical School in 1974. It was not an easy task, with three young children at home and society rooting against her, but, like in all areas of her life, she excelled, with her characteristic grace, humility, and resolute determination (Those who tried telling Dorothy she could not do something she had decided to do quickly learned a concept called “futile hurling”). She was one of the founding members of North River Medical Associates, which had offices in Hanover and Rockland, until her retirement in 2007. She also served as the school doctor for the Norwell Public Schools for over 25 years. During her long medical career she won many awards, and served around the world as a medical missionary, including trips to Dominica, Antigua, and a Romanian orphanage.

Pew 22 at the Church Hill United Methodist Church in Norwell was her special seat for more than 40 years, and she enjoyed attending Bible studies, attending the WANAS group, and serving on several committees in the parish. Dorothy was a lifelong learner, and tried to get out of her comfort zone as often as she could. She absolutely LOVED to travel the world, usually with dear friends and family in tow, because she could not bear the thought of anyone missing out, and truly loved sharing her adventures. An accomplished knitter, she contributed hundreds of lovingly homemade items to the homeless in Boston and children in Africa.

Other interests included drawing and painting, golfing, symphony, attending theatre, an exhaustive study of who, exactly, made the best coffee ice cream, and gardening. Her wise smile, sparkling eyes, and keen wit will be forever missed by her large circle of friends and her adoring family. Her grandchildren will attest under oath that she was the best grandmother ever, taking them to endless movies, suppers, and weekends at “the Pond,” her beloved summer home in Plymouth. Despite her perpetually busy schedule of patients and on-call hours, she NEVER missed a game, a concert, a play or an art show where a family member was involved.

She is survived by her heartbroken daughters, Barbara Cooper, ElizaBeth Cloutier, and Carole Reilly, their spouses, and her many grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her parents, and her sister, Ruth Chase Brenner. Visiting hours will be at the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 30 Central Street, Norwell, on Wednesday, April 24th from 4-7 pm. A celebration of her life will be held at Church Hill United Methodist, 11 Church Street, Norwell on Thursday, April 25th at 11am with a collation to follow in the Fellowship Center (ice cream will, of course, be served). Dorothy cherished the color yellow, and the family respectfully asks those who attend to wear it proudly in her honor. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Dorothy’s name to Doctors Without Borders, (www.doctorswithoutborders.org)

There will never, ever be another woman like her. Heaven has the most beautiful new angel.

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