Joanne (Testa) Chase

Ms. Joanne M. (Testa) Chase, 86, passed away peacefully, May 2, 2025, with her family by her side.

Born in Utica, June 3, 1938, Joanne was a daughter of the late Fiorentino “Fred” and Giulia Testa. She attended local schools and was a graduate of TR Proctor High School. Joanne then entered the Order of Franciscan nuns, where she devoted her life to religion, while also obtaining her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Buffalo. After leaving the convent, Joanne returned to Utica, where she worked at both the Marcy and Utica Psychiatric Centers, as an Occupational Therapist, for 30 years. In retirement, she loved volunteering in the community, at her church, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel, and through various local organizations.

On May 7, 1977, Joanne married James Chase. The couple were married for twelve years and had two children, James and Gloria, who were the center of Joanne’s life. When her grandchildren were born, Joanne's love and family grew even more and she was at her happiest. Joanne was an avid fan and collector of all things angels, Elvis, and anything Peanuts related, especially Snoopy.

Joanne is survived by her children, James and Meghan Chase, and Gloria Chase; her cherished grandchildren, Travis Miller, Delilah Chase, and John Chase; sister, Jean Masercola; stepchildren, Chris Chase and Tammy Burr; sisters-in-law, Marie Testa and Shirley Graziano; her many nieces and nephews, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews; as well as, close friends in the Carzo family, and her very close friends, Kay Laneaux, Agata McCuster, and Carol Owens. She was predeceased by her brother, Albino Testa; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Roland Perreault, Gloria and Charles Peterpaul, Erminia “Amelia” and Flamino Guido, and Anthony Masercola.

The family would like to thank the staff at Valley Health Services, in Herkimer, for the attentive care given to Joanne over the past months. 

There will be a memorial mass for Joanne at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 10 a.m. Private Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at church or you can go to stjude.org to make a donation.

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