Mary Jo (Keeney) Chase

Mary Jo K. Chase, 91, of LaFayette, NY, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026. Born on January 13,1935 at Cortland Memorial Hospital on a cold, severe winter’s day to John Kenneth Keeney and Marian Corinne Cardner Keeney, their first-born child. Her arrival was followed by Nancy Corinne Keeney in 1937, Margaret Ann Keeney in 1940, and Richard Harlan Keeney in 1947.

She grew up on a second-generation family dairy farm on West Keeney Road in Cuyler, NY, with her parents and siblings. She graduated from Fabius High School in 1952.

She attended Ithaca College, School of Music, for two years followed by one year at Cortland Business School. She worked for the local radio station WKRT for three years. She then became a stay-at-home mom, living seven years in Cortland and eleven years in Groton. In 1976, her family moved to LaFayette, NY where she resided until 2020. In that time, she worked nearly 40 years for the Syracuse University School of Management as a departmental secretary. Mary Jo was a member of the Columbian Presbyterian Church in LaFayette, NY, where she was the organist and Music Director for nearly 40 years. She also taught Sunday School and volunteered for various church social activities.

She enjoyed spending time with her longtime companion, Sumner Palmer. They traveled together, attending festivals, fairs and all John Deere related activities. She also enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

She is predeceased by her parents, and daughter-in-law, Sandra Jean Rice Chase.

She is survived by her sons, Stephen D. (Jennifer Kimber) Chase of Chittenango, NY; Stuart K. (Constance) Chase of Fayetteville, NY; three granddaughters, Ashley (Paul) Kloster, Shelby (Kyle) Gorze, all of Colorado Springs, CO, and Lydia Corinne Chase of Syracuse, NY; two great granddaughters, Carter and Cora Kloster; three siblings, Nancy (Paul McDonough) Krager, Margaret Pratt, and Richard (Barbara) Keeney; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 4-7 PM at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, LaFayette, NY.

Services will be Thursday, June 18, 2026, 11AM at Columbian Presbyterian Church, LaFayette, NY

Burial will follow at the LaFayette Rural Cemetery.

Contributions in memory of Mary Jo may be made to the Columbian Presbyterian Church, LaFayette Public Library or the Alzheimer Assoc. CNY Chapter.

Mary Jo’s family would like to thank the staff of Iroquois Nursing Home’s dementia unit for their kindness and care.