Regina “Jeannie” Chase Nunnery
Jeannie Riley Nunnery, formerly known as Jeannie Chase, was born on November 23, 1944 in New York to Frank and Regina Riley. She grew up in Peekskill, NY and went to Boarding School at Marymount School in Tarrytown, NY. She lived an idyllic childhood in many regards. Her paternal grandfather ran the Barkley and Biltmore Hotels in New York City, which became a gateway for many amazing experiences. She took horseback riding lessons in Central Park and rode horses with her grandfather on the Rockefeller Estate. She was also very proud of traveling the world while she was young, including her parents pulling her out of school for three months for an around-the-world cruise.
Jeannie then proceeded to attend Marymount University in Arlington, VA before transferring to and graduating with a degree in psychology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA where she met her first husband, Larry Chase. They were married for over twenty years and moved to Lexington, KY from South Bend, IN to start their young life together with their son, Chris Chase.
Jeannie initially worked part-time at Hymsons Department Store, which then became Embry’s, in Downtown Lexington. After her son was full time at Christ the King elementary school, Jeannie became a receptionist in the HR Department at UK Hospital. It is at UK where her career began to blossom. She eventually earned more responsibilities in HR and rose the ladder to eventually become the head of the Hospital’s Psychiatry Department. After working at UK, she worked for ARH Appalachian Regional Hospital where she oversaw multiple hospitals and clinics throughout the state.
Her greatest work achievement was actually starting something unrelated to her job. She felt badly for the children who didn’t get to experience the joy of having a gift on Christmas day. This inspired her to start the Circle of Love at UK Hospital. The entire hospital community immediately rallied around this gift raising program that allowed individuals to donate Christmas gifts to a pool of deserving children. It was an instant hit and the program is still successfully connecting generous people at UK with children nearly forty years later.
Jeannie always wanted to be by the water. She eventually moved to Florida and lived in several communities throughout the state so she could see the Ocean. After her funeral Mass, she will return to her favorite place to always be connected with the water.
Jeannie took immense pride in her two amazing granddaughters, Carolyn and Isabella Chase. They gave her both joy and hope in the final chapters of her life story. Jeannie wanted to return home to Kentucky once Alzheimer’s began to impact her independence. This gave her the opportunity to see her granddaughters and celebrate her last few Christmas’ together alongside her treasured daughter-in-law, Suzanne Chase.
She always said angels showed up in her life. It was certainly true. Her final years in Florida were at Venetian Walk where the manager, staff and other residents were hidden angels in her midst doing more than she will ever realize. In addition, members of the Venice Police Department went above and beyond to look out for her. The final chapter of her life was at Wesley Manor where countless more angels appeared as demonstrated by the care for her being shown with love beyond measure.
There will be a visitation at Epiphany Catholic Church in Louisville at 9am, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10am on Friday, June 17th, 2022.
In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider a donation to Wesley Manor's Charitable Care Fund https://wesman.org/donate-to-wesley-manor/ to provide financial assistance to those who outlive their savings during the final chapter of their life or Circle of Love by contacting Elizabeth.Median@uky.edu.