Joan Louiza Chase

Joan Louiza Nunes Chase, while surrounded by her family in Hickory, NC, transitioned on Saturday, July 11, 2026 from this life into eternal life with the saints triumphant. Joan was born on January 23, 1934 to Ernestina Nunes and Manuel Nunes in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

She married the love of her life, the late Albert Chase, in 1957, and immigrated with him and her oldest daughter, Joanne, to the United States in 1958. The couple made their home in the Myrtle Grove area of Pensacola, Florida. They welcomed their second daughter, Nancy, in 1959. Her family became members of Little Flower Catholic Church where she volunteered her time willingly, always looking for ways to serve others and support the church. She also volunteered at the Naval Hospital, took classes and received her GED in the late 1970’s at which time she obtained her Ward Clerk certification and began her career at Baptist Hospital where she worked until her retirement. She enjoyed staying active and was the oldest person working out at her gym into her 90’s. She volunteered serving meals at the Wesco Senior Center in Myrtle Grove and spent much of her time caring for people who were often overlooked. Above all, she dearly loved her family. They were the center of her world, and nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with them, celebrating their successes, and being there through life's challenges.

In addition to her parents and husband, Joan is predeceased by her brothers Manuel “Sonny” Nunes, Ernest Nunes, Albert Nunes, George Nunes, and her sister, Glenda James, as well as brother-in-law, Ralph Chase and his wife, Marjorie Chase, a sister-in-law, Catherine Sarlin, and stepdaughters Linda DeGeus and Joanne “Jodie” Gibson.

She is survived by her daughters, Joanne M. Chase (Curtis Carter, Jr.) of Hickory, North Carolina and Nancy Chase Hamilton (Trey) of Lago Vista, Texas. She also leaves behind three grandchildren: Amie Chase of Hickory, North Carolina; Travis Hamilton (Sarah) of Austin, Texas; Logan Hamilton (Andi) of Denver, Colorado. Joan will be missed by her great-grandchildren: Caleb Chase of Hickory, North Carolina; Chase Hamilton, Greyson Hamilton, and Ava Hamilton of Austin, Texas. Joan is also survived by her sister, Patricia Oostdyk and brothers, Peter Nunes and Ricardo Nunes (Patricia), as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at Reformation Lutheran Church in Taylorsville, NC on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Oaklawn Funeral Home, 619 N. New Warrington Rd., Pensacola, Florida. Her funeral mass will be held at Little Flower Catholic Church, Pensacola, Florida at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, with burial immediately after in Barrancas National Cemetery in NAS Pensacola.

Memorials may be made to Carolina Caring Hospice 3975 Robinson Rd Bldg 3, Suite A, Newton, NC 28658 or to Little Flower Catholic Church 6495 Lillian Highway, Pensacola, FL 32506.