Mary Hildreth Chassey

Mary Hildreth Chassey, wife, mother, and grandmother, 101 years of age, passed away on September 6, 2022.

Mary was born June 13, 1921, in Lowell, Massachusetts. She graduated from Westford Academy in 1937. Mary received her Associate’s Degree in 1939 from Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont and her Bachelor of Science in 1942 from Bridgewater University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. She began teaching in Lakeville, MA that same year.
In January of 1943, Mary traveled by train, alone, to San Francisco, CA, a three-day journey, to marry George Chassey who was in the U.S. Army Air Corps stationed at Hamilton Field. George went on to the European theatre in late 1943 and Mary returned to Massachusetts, expecting their first child.  

  
After the war Mary taught school in Florida and South Carolina for several years, supporting her husband as he completed his education. She was committed to her family, dedicating her life to supporting them all, at her husband’s side as the wife of an Episcopal priest.

Mary was a faithful servant of her Lord and the Lord’s Church. She was active in the Altar Guild at Church of the Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, in Barnwell, SC and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Charleston. She always gave of herself and for more than 17 years she was a volunteer at Roper Hospital in Charleston, Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, CA or Providence Hospital in Columbia, SC. For several years Mary headed the Volunteer Receptionists at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, SC.
She loved people and was deeply concerned when someone was suffering from illness or other difficulties, maintaining an active prayer list and when appropriate, making phone calls to express her concern. Mary loved to travel, especially to London. She never met a stranger.

Mary is survived by her pride and joy, two daughters: Jean Bender of Charleston, SC and Karen Aytes of Fayetteville, NC; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 78 years, The Rev. Canon George Chassey; and one son, Richard George Chassey. 

The service celebrating her life will be held Saturday, September 17, 2022 in Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston, where she was a member, at 2:00 p.m. J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel is assisting the family. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Still Hopes Residents Assistance Fund, One Still Hopes Drive, Columbia, SC 29169; Grace Church Cathedral, 98 Wentworth Street, Charleston, SC 29401; Trinity Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201; or to the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, PO Box 20485, Charleston, SC 29413.