Kathryn Chase Obituary

Kathryn Louise "Kit" Gregory Chase, 70, went to her eternal home on December 11, 2025.
She was born on June 12, 1955, at the Naval Base in Pensacola, Florida. Due to her family's military service, Kit lived in Japan and the Philippines before returning to the United States, where she grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her deep and lifelong love for the ocean and coastline was formed early and remained with her always.
Kit made her home in the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina with her beloved husband, Joseph Chase, where together they raised their two sons, Neil and Christian. She was drawn to the irresistible beauty, creativity, and lifestyle of the mountains, which became the backdrop for her family life and artistic career.
From an early age, Kit was a gifted artist, earning several awards and accolades. She studied Art and Design at the Maryland Institute before transferring to and graduating from the Ringling School of Art in 1979. Her oil paintings, watercolors, fabric art, mixed media works, and especially her beloved "dreamscapes" adorn homes and offices throughout Western North Carolina.
While raising her boys, one of Kit's greatest joys was horseback riding. She proudly rode Collins, known as "the fastest around the track," at 4-H horse shows, earning many ribbons and a large trophy in 1995. In addition to her visual art, Kit wrote and copyrighted several songs and had some of her poetry published.
More recently, Kit and her husband formed two creative businesses, "Stairways from Heaven" and "Sawdust and Us," where she remained an intrinsic part of every project and design. To know Kit was to love her-she found beauty in everyone and everything she encountered.
She is survived by her loving husband, Joseph Chase; her beloved sons, Neil Chase and Christian Chase; and her cherished grandchildren, Robert Joseph Chase ("Robbie"), age 9, and Campbell Olivia Chase ("Cami"), age 4.
A remembrance of Kit's life and legacy will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Sawdust & Us, located at 147 Depot Street, Waynesville, North Carolina. A display of Kit's magical artwork will be shared for all to attend, and the artwork will remain on display through New Year's for friends who are unable to attend on that date.
An additional celebration of life is planned in Virginia Beach next June, on or around her birthday, June 12, 2026, possibly including a paddle-out or beach ceremony at 44th and 45th Street, to reminisce and celebrate having Kit in our lives.
Cards may be sent to the family at Chase Family, 262 Maple Leaf Lane, Clyde, NC 28721. Flowers and art are not necessary, but may be sent if desired to Sawdust & Us, 147 Depot Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.
Smoky Mountain Cremations and Funeral Service of Maggie Valley is caring for the family, and the online register is available at www.smokymountaincremations.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathryn, please visit our floral store.