Beatrice Ruth Chasen

Beatrice Ruth (Cohen) Chasen, 91, of Richmond, Va., died Oct. 24, 2010. Born in Irvington, she also lived in Millburn.

Working alongside her husband, Mrs. Chasen built several businesses, including Chasen’s Newspaper Service, Bright Dry Cleaners in Irvington, and Harmony House record stores throughout the state. After retiring from the retail business, the Chasens built a successful Amway distributorship.

She was a graduate of Weequahic High School in Newark and Montclair State Teachers College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in English. She later received a master’s degree in personnel and guidance from Seton Hall University in South Orange.

As a longtime New Jersey resident, she helped create, and was the first president of, the Essex County Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. She was a lifetime member and a recipient of the Hannah G. Solomon award for her charitable service. She worked on the section’s annual fund-raising art show for 18 years. She was also a cofounder of the Youth Employment Service in Millburn, and taught English as a second language for many years.

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She is survived by her husband of more than 69 years, Harold; three sons, Steven of Santa Monica, Calif., Donald of Escondido, Calif., and Estes Park, Colo., and Andrew of Richmond; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services were held Oct. 27 with arrangements by Woody Funeral Home, Richmond. Memorial contributions may be made to NCJW, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Beth Sholom Home.