The Edith Stewart Chase Foundation

The purpose of the Edith Stewart Chase Foundation is to grant emergency financial assistance to retired educators who confront an economic crisis.

Marion Anne Hardy Educator, Naturalist, Benefactor

The Edith Stewart Chase Foundation received a generous endowment from the Marion A. Hardy Trust. She was a retired third grade teacher from the Milton Public Schools and was unknown to us in ways very similar to Edith Chase. It is from diligent inquiry that we have learned about her from colleagues and friends. Marion grew up in Dorchester and lived in Braintree until her retirement. She earned her degree in education from Boston College and studied at the graduate level at Boston State Teachers College.

Many years ago, when it seemed unusual, Marion earned her pilot's license and frequently flew over the areas of Cape Cod, her favorite place to be. She owned a home in Brewster and from that locale she explored the waters of the Cape in her sailboat, "The Red Hat". As an artist, who belonged to the Orleans Art Association, she frequently exhibited at Art Shows and among her artwork are several watercolors of her sailboat. Her love of flowers shows in the artwork that is now possessed by a friend.

She had an amazing ability to identify every bird she saw or heard and recognized the species of the flora and fauna in her milieu. Marion cared about the ecology of our world and did what she could to enhance the environment for all of us. Among her other hobbies, she enjoyed gardening and traveling.

We are told that Marion was an inveterate seeker of knowledge - one "who probably read every book in the Boston Public Library." She was a caring and concerned teacher and was dedicated to share her knowledge to enrich the lives of her students and colleagues. For many years Marion teamed with a younger teacher in a third grade class in the Glover School in Milton. This woman acknowledged that she was motivated to become a more accomplished teacher under the guidance of Marion Hardy who became her mentor and friend.

As a case of serendipity, the day we announced this bequest to the Chase Advisory Council members, a new member was named to represent Norfolk Chapter. That person, Mary Schofield, was the principal at Glover School and became an assistant superintendent during Ms. Hardy's tenure.
The Chase Foundation Council members acknowledge a great sense of appreciation for the gifts of two unassuming, generous women. We pledge our commitment to guard over the funds so that grants can continue to have a positive effect on the lives of our colleagues. From their legacies we are enjoined to maintain our dedication to the mission described by Edith Stewart Chase and advanced by the legacy of Marion Anne Hardy.

Loretta L. Frissora, Executive Director 2006

We gratefully acknowledge the memories of Ms. Hardy from her friends and colleagues: Paula Capperella of Tuckahoe, NY and Claire Mullins, Wellesley, MA