Norma Chase's Obituary
A Legacy of Love and Service
In the quaint coastal city of Georgetown, Guyana, a jostling, joyous baby girl was born on
August 13, 1938, to Marie Sylvia Drakes and Captain Alonzo Fitzgerald Drakes, named
Norma Eleanor Drakes. She was the eighth child out of a total of twelve children.
From an early age, Norma showed a gift for cooking and serving others, quickly becoming
the one who her family relied upon for delicious meals. She later remarked that cooking
was her solace—a source of comfort, an escape, an opportunity to earn extra income, as
well as a powerful expression of love displayed through wholesome dishes made from
scratch. She became well known for her homemade dishes, including vegetarian cooking,
in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Guyana.
Cooking was not Norma’s only gift. In 1954, she graduated from Smith Church Primary
School and later attended Guyana Commercial Trade School, where she became proficient
in Gregg shorthand and Latin. She was also a history enthusiast who loved classical music,
but her true calling was sewing. With exceptional skill, she became known as a local
fashionista and was featured several times in Guyana’s newspaper for the beautifully
designed and expertly sewn clothes she wore to church.
Before Norma could put her talents to commercial use, she met the handsome and
charming Hubert Malcom Chase, a boatswain or senior petty officer on a ship. They quickly
fell in love and married on November 27, 1963. Their union brought six children: Horace,
Shelly, Rollo (Robert), Hastings, Rudo, and Hubert (Ato-Bakari). Norma’s cooking and
sewing skills served her well as she raised her family. She was known for waking up early on
Friday mornings to bake large batches of bread, much of which fed her five growing sons
and their friends, although some of the bread was sold to support the household.
Due to changing circumstances, to support her family financially, Norma entered the
workforce by becoming an employee of Guyana’s Department Store, where she worked for
almost ten years before migrating to the United States. Once in the United States, she was
trained as a Home Health Aide (HHA) in 1982, following in the footsteps of her older sister
Lucille. This training afforded her the opportunity to work as an HHA at an assisted living
facility. In 1984, she received her high school equivalency diploma (GED). She also
performed other odd jobs, including continuing to use her expert cooking and sewing skills
to supplement her income all while attending Essex County College Business School,
where she earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, she
began working for the New Jersey State Public Defender’s Office, where she worked as an
administrative assistant until she retired in October 2003. Yet, even in retirement, Norma
continued to excel and obtained her food handling certificate from the Food Service
Training Academy, allowing her to cook on a large scale. She used this skill to cook for her
church and to provide food for the homeless.
Yet, the most important thing to Norma was her family. Norma loved to celebrate her
birthday and to entertain. She was quick to plan a cookout or some other type of family
outing, and no one could match her glamourous birthday parties that she shared with her
older sister Sybil. Sybil was 11 years older than Norma, but because they shared the same
birth month, they often partied together either in the United States where Norma resided or
the United Kingdom where Sybil lives.
No reflection of Norma Chase would be complete without noting that she was a world
traveler. Every year, until she was physically unable, Norma travelled to Guyana not only to
visit her family, but also for charitable purposes. She would visit schools and senior
facilities to share her home-cooked meals with those less fortunate. She also taught her
Guyanese family how to celebrate Thanksgiving “American style” with a turkey and all the
trimmings, which she of course prepared. To her family and those she cared for in Guyana,
the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, she was an
irreplaceable angel.
She also traveled to several countries including: Rome, Panama, Mexico, Canada, and the
United States. She also enjoyed cruising. Yet, her ultimate destination has always been
heaven, and she has never strayed from her co-pilot Christ. Norma took her final breath on
July 20, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. She will be remembered as a living witness
to Matthew 5:16, because she let her light shine so others could see her good works and
glorify her Father in heaven.
Preceding Norma in death are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Drakes, her siblings: Gilbert
Drakes, Sheila Elliot, Inez (Alice) Light, Dennis Drakes, Lucille Richards, Vernon Drakes, Rita
Opoku-Forfiah, and George Drakes, her husband, Hubert Malcom Chase, and her
grandson, Nico Izarier Chase.
Left to cherish her legacy are: one sister, Sybil Greaves, five children: Horace Malcom,
Shelly Ann-Marie, Robert George, Hastings Mboya (Keri), Rudo Chicha Gazembe, and
Hubert Ato Elliot (Lebrashawn), nine grandchildren: Kieyrre Christopher, Aaron Austin,
Hollace Lauren Eleanor, Madelynn Eleanor, Janie Marie, Ahadu Omolara, Elysia Makayla,
Menelik King David, Omarii Ashford George, Breylan Ari, and ten great grandchildren:
Skyler K.R., Indi Jo, Waylon Xavier, Ali Mboya, Arlo Ren, Malakhi Deshawn, Nikko Warren,
Amari Allen, Avoni Ocean, and London Lea, and the families of: the late Aunt Desiree,
Cousin Ina, and Theresa (Doreen) Paulsingh, as well as a host of nephews, nieces, cousins,
and extended family members and friends.
Norma Eleanor Chase will always be remembered as a spectacular mother, grandmother,
great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend and will be greatly missed. Until we
meet again, rest in peace.
What’s your fondest memory of Norma?
What’s a lesson you learned from Norma?
Share a story where Norma's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Norma you’ll never forget.
How did Norma make you smile?
