ALBANY, N.Y. - Martha D. Chance, 95, of Albany, N.Y., passed away peacefully Feb. 17, 2011, in Good Samaritan Health Care Center, with her daughter by her side.
The second youngest of a large family, she was born Dec. 30, 1915, in Millville, N.J., to Henry and Rosalie Seubert Dilks. On Jan. 16, 1937, she married the love of her life, W. Harold Chance, who died in 1981.
She graduated from Ocean City High School and completed a year of nurse's training. She traveled around the country to be with Harold while he was stationed at various Army airfields where he taught cadets to fly during World War II. In 1947, they moved to Warsaw, where their only child, Cheryl, was born and raised.
She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother and friend. All who knew her enjoyed her excellent cooking and outstanding baked goods. Over the years, she helped many preschoolers get off to a good start in her nursery school. She was active in PTA, community arts groups, Tri Kappa and the First United Methodist Church.
After retiring, she and Harold moved to Albany in 1980 to join their daughter. Widowed in 1981, she continued her life of service at Calvary (now Emmaus) United Methodist Church, with the Widowed Persons organization and as a classroom volunteer for her daughter's students at Hamagrael Elementary School, Delmar.
She is survived by her only child, Cheryl Chance (and spouse Harry M. Jr.) Judge; as well as her "second daughter," Christy Richhart (and spouse Bob) Skinner; and their daughters, Jennifer and Michelle; sister-in-law, Hannah Chance; and several nieces and nephews.
Following her wishes, a gathering in celebration of her life will be this spring.
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Memorials may be made to Emmaus United Methodist Church, 715 Morris St., Albany, NY 12208.
