Leslie Chase (Foss, Smith)

Leslie Chase (Foss, Smith) passed in March of 2026. Leslie was born in Pasco, Washington in September of 1950. She was the first child of Robert Chase Jr. and Betty Scott Chase, and had two younger brothers. Sadly, both her mother and youngest brother (Gregory) died during her 9th year.

Her father’s remarriage (Darlene Shuckhart) brought three more brothers to the family. One of the great roles of her life was helping to raise her beloved brothers. She often fondly reflected on this time and her love for them.

Leslie was more recently predeceased by her brother, Chris Chase. Her brothers Rick Chase and Kevin Chase live in Western Washington and brother Doug Chase has lost contact with the family.

At age 16 (in 1966), Leslie’s family moved to the fledgling town of Ocean Shores. Her father worked to build up the AT&T network on the coast. She began attending Hoquiam High School where she was a cheerleader. She was the first Logger’s Playday Queen in 1967 and she also ran for Miss Grays Harbor, winning second runner up. In late high school, she met David Foss through his sisters, Ruth McClelland and Liz Davis, both residing in Ocean Shores.

In early 1969, they were married and began a family. They had four children: Mike (Laura) Foss of Silverdale, Lisa (Craig) Hahnlen of Hershey, Pennsylvania, Sandra (Philip) Hallstrom of Olympia and Lura (Anthony) Smith of Montesano. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Cora, Elliot, Wilson, Anastasia, Sam, Tom, Abraham, Jerusha, Gabriel, Aravah and Hannah and one great-grandson, Indiana. Her former daughter-in-law, Susan Dudley, also remained a part of her life.

During the prime child-raising years, Leslie prioritized running an efficient home with meals on the table and all the duties that housekeeping entailed. Humor was infused into daily life and she loved a good laugh. She reflected on this time with great satisfaction and happiness.

During these years, she took courses in accounting so she could keep books for Foss Construction. After her eldest children graduated from high school, she attended Grays Harbor Community College (with some of their classmates!). She discovered a natural aptitude for writing which she later used to pen auto-biographical sketches. Not long after, she took real estate courses and became an agent in Ocean Shores. Engagement with colleagues and customers, as well as the problem-solving required for properties was a great fit for her skill set.

Even from a young age, Leslie was highly observant of the outside world. Beauty played a key role in her life. It could be seen in how she arranged and decorated her home. It also extended to her love of gardening in her grandmother’s (Violet Chase) footsteps where she had spent wonderful summers. She particularly loved dinner-plate dahlias, going to the trouble to dig them up and replant them each year.

In 1996, she married Tony Smith (surviving in Hoquiam) and they resided together in Ocean Shores for nearly 20 years. Her garden on the bay was ever-expanding until it took up a second lot.

Leslie loved all people, at every age. She was fascinated to learn about current and past peoples and their cultures. Some of her best times were long visits laughing with friends. Over the years, people were invited to share dinners and she liked to include people who might not have had a place during holidays. At Christmas, all guests and family members would be asked to close their eyes, stand a certain distance from the Christmas tree and then squint at it. “Doesn’t it look like a fairy tree?!” It was then proclaimed to be the “best tree!” (yes, every year).

She liked to create memories and hosted an annual Christmas cookie making and decorating extravaganza with the grandkids.

Travel and adventure thrilled her. In the years (long!) before GPS, she would take the children on car trips to visit friends (Vicki in Pasco, Washington and Lissa in Portland, Oregon) and relatives. Upon getting lost, she would exclaim, “Kids, We’re on an adventure!” Despite groans from the backseat of the car, she always found her way.

Whenever an opportunity for extended school field trips arose, she joined in (band trips, week-long exchanges to Alabama and NYC). She loved these times especially when she was joined by her friend, Marsha Powell. One year, she also hosted a high school student (Luba Redenko) from Russia.

She traveled with her friend Belinda Hayes (Egypt, France and Belgium) and husbands Dave (Hawaii and Alaska) and Tony (NYC, Washington, DC, Alaska and Mexico). She had hoped to travel to Greece (canceled high school graduation trip) and to Africa with her friend, Lorna Valdez.

Leslie was also involved in her religious community through Copalis Community Church. Although not one to tell others what to believe, she communicated how much she loved the Lord and was grateful for His presence in her life. At various times she taught Sunday and Vacation Bible Schools. Through church, she developed a friendship with Rocky Barbero as well as many other church ladies. Both Newt and Margaret Rasor held a special place in her heart as formative leaders of the church.

As she got older, she was often to be found sitting outdoors on her swing (or at the window in the rain) watching and listening to nature. She always had time to talk with anyone who stopped by or called. She was appreciative of the supportive care she received in her final months of life at the Sequoia Assisted Living Facility.

Leslie had a happy perspective on life and always wore a smile. She would try most things once and embraced life and the people around her.

May we all find our way through life, with laughter, as she did.

A memorial service will be held June 5, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at Ocean Shores Faith Community Church in Ocean Shores. Her family invites you to help celebrate her life. We would love for you to wear fun and colorful clothing or accessories.