Joyce Yvonne Chase prominent Guyanese healthcare professional laid to rest

Joyce Yvonne Chase, nee Harlequin-Sandy, a prominent health care provider, described as a beloved matriarch, mentor, philanthropist, counselor, companion, and friend, was laid to rest on Sept. 29, after a celebratory home going service, fueled with love, a drum line, and the release of doves, fit for the queen she was. She was 93.

Fondly called Mommy Chase, the Godly woman was acknowledged by leading politicians, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke & Dr. Una Clarke, and Senator Roxanne Persaud, during a requiem at John Wesley United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, where she worshiped for 7 decades.

Chase who began her career as a nurse’s aide at the Jewish Chronic Disease Hospital and the Kings County Hospital Center later becoming a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, and certified chemical dependent nurse, a graduate of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York, before pursuing graduate studies in community mental health, was celebrated with reflections, musical prelude, processional invocation, pray of comfort, scripture reading and hymns.

Chase also a noted advocate for the advancement of women and people of color in the health professions, serving as a life member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc., and a member of numerous other professional and community organizations including the NAACP, 100 Black Women, Key Women of America Inc., The Stuyvesant Club, New York Black Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association, received tributes from the Guyana Tri-State Alliance, the Guyana Consulate and the Guyanese Nurses Association of America, Inc.

The selfless individual who served with distinction as President of the Guyanese Nurses Association of America Inc., was remembered by Chi Eta Phi Sorority Omega Chapter, the NYC Health+Hospitals /Kings, McKinny Nursing Home, Brooklyn Club of National Assoc. of Negro Business, Professional Women’s Club Inc., and the Guyana Cultural Association, among many others.

A tireless leader, Chase was passionate about promoting the welfare and wellbeing of children and families in need. Her charitable works have benefited countless individual causes and community initiatives in Guyana, and in the wider Caribbean, as well as in the United States. Her devotion and indelible service to those in need have been honored with numerous awards and commendations from diverse community, professional and political organizations including the United States Congress, the New York State Assembly, and the New York City Council.

A woman of outstanding generosity, personal courage, dignity, and faith, Chase, was preceded by her husband Keith Anderson Chase and parents James Harleqin Francina Sandy Samuels, siblings Albert Harlequin, Claude Harleqin, Loreen Samuels, and Patsy Samuels. She leaves to mourn her children Shery Douglas, Claire Patterson-Monah, and many other relatives and friends.