Mrs. Mary Corinne Chase, resident of Covenant Living at Windsor Park Manor in Carol Stream, entered into her Savior's presence on Jan 25, 2025, at age 94. Beloved for her unwavering sweet spirit and gracious hospitality, Mary served with distinction as "first lady" of both Biola University and Wheaton College and blessed countless others with her gifts of music, joyful encouragement, and prayer.

Mary Corinne Sutherland was born to Eleanor and Dr. Samuel Sutherland on December 3, 1930, and grew up in Los Angeles. In 1936 when she was 6 years old, her father joined the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, was appointed its academic Dean in 1942, and President in 1952, when the school's name was changed to Biola. This rich family legacy of Christian higher education equipped Mary to serve with her husband, Dr. J. Richard Chase, in his role as the sixth president of Biola (1970-1982) and the sixth president of Wheaton College (1982-1993).

Mary met Richard (Dick) Chase at Culter Academy, a private Christian high school in Los Angeles. High school sweethearts, they graduated in 1948 and both attended the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. They were married on December 16, 1950. Mary earned her degree in Christian Education in 1952 and taught kindergarten for several years before starting a family. A talented pianist, Mary was the accompanist for the Biola men's quartet, in which Dick sang, and played piano and organ frequently in their home churches, including Calvary Church in Hollywood, where Dick was pastor in their early marriage, Redeemer Covenant Church of Downey in the 1960's, Whittier Hills Baptist Church in the 1970's, and numerous luncheons and church events in Wheaton during the 1980's and 1990's. She loved playing the hymns (and with perfect pitch and a lifetime of experience, she often didn't use a hymnal) and played services at Windsor Park Manor in her later years.

Like her mother Eleanor, Mary was a dedicated homemaker. She was exceptionally talented in the home arts, skillfully decorating her homes with her own quilting and needlepoint, while also applying her sewing and knitting abilities to many of her projects. She had a keen eye for rooms and arrangement, bringing a professional's spatial finesse to entertaining. Yet, as gifted as Mary was in decorating, it was her kindness, warmth, and caring spirit for those who entered her home that turned her decorative talents into godly hospitality. Mary made all feel welcomed and loved. Her sincere care for others filled the room, even for the large parties she eagerly hosted.

A lifelong Californian who loved the sunshine and the coast, Mary nevertheless soon came to love the Midwest—even the snow—when she and Dick moved to Wheaton in 1982. Her hospitality extended to the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where Mary and Dick welcomed countless college friends and families to their cabin across the bay from Wheaton's HoneyRock campus. While "first lady" of Wheaton College, it is estimated that Mary welcomed into her home more than 1200 students, faculty, staff, and other college guests each year.

Throughout her years at Biola and Wheaton, Mary was dedicated in prayer for her college communities. She founded the Biola Wives Prayer Group over fifty years ago and it continues to this day. In Wheaton, she led the Wheaton College Women's Intercessors group every week in her home during Dick's presidency. Her joy in serving Christ by providing prayerful, wise, and gracious support for her husband's college leadership is a legacy of endearing kindness, unpretentious elegance, and delight in the service to others. Dr. Philip Ryken, Wheaton's current president, states that Mary "continues to inspire the Wheaton College community." To her family, friends, and the Biola and Wheaton communities, Mary Chase has been one of God's beautiful gifts of Christ-like love.

Dick Chase passed away in 2010. Mary is survived by her children, Dr. Kenneth Chase and wife Linda, Mrs. Jennifer (Chase) Barnard and husband Daniel, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22, at 1 p.m. at Highpoint Wheaton, 1310 N. Main St. in Wheaton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the " Wheaton College Benevolence Fund " at Wheaton College, or to the " Samuel H Sutherland Endowed Memorial Scholarship " fund at Biola University.