Maria Ruth Chassee

Maria Ruth Chassee, age 97, entered into eternal paradise with her beloved Savior on February 12, 2022. Known affectionately as “Maga” ever since her granddaughter Kristen had trouble pronouncing the word “Grandma,” she was the third of 11 children born to Alvaro and Hansa Rocha of Salvador, Bahia Brazil. A striking beauty until her final days, it is no surprise Ruth caught the eye of her “Jimmy boy” James Chassee at a USO dance when he was stationed in her city as a naval postmaster during WWII. The two were married on November 7, 1945, at St. Alphonsus Parish and raised six children in Jim’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Though Maga spoke five languages and once considered following in her father’s footsteps as an engineer, she never regretted her decision to become a homemaker. You could often find her tending to her beautiful garden, crocheting an afghan or doily, or speaking her native Portuguese on the phone to her sisters Laura and Lucia. She loved to travel and was able to take many trips back home to Brazil, as well as the Marian Shrines in Lourdes, France and Fatima, Portugal; Egypt, Israel, Ireland, Italy, and all over the United States. A music lover with an affinity for Brazilian samba and opera, Maga was an accomplished pianist who participated in recitals in her later years. Maga loved her family fiercely and was happiest when everyone was gathered together for a party. Her cooking was legendary, and it was always a treat to “lift the pot” on the stove to see what she’d whipped up earlier in the day. A devoted Catholic, she dedicated much of her life to advocating for the unborn and was a great supporter of the Right to Life.

Maga was preceded in death by her husband, James Richard Chassee; son, Daniel Chassee; son-in-laws Edward Kastelz and Paul Klingenmaier; grandsons GRPD Officer Robert Kozminski and Jonathan (J.P.) Kastelz; parents Alvaro and Hansa (Hacker) Rocha; and siblings Maria Sigrid, Maria Lucia, Maria Helena, Maria Thereza, Maria Laura, Maria Martha, Gustavo, Adolfo, and Paulo.

She is survived by her children Maria (Richard) Kozminski, Teresa Kastelz, Thomas (Jennifer) Chassee, Julie (Robert) Jerrils, and James (Gigi) Chassee; 25 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, brother Hans Rocha, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A special thank you to grandchildren Kristen Mahoney and Edward Kastelz for going above and beyond for Maga in her final years. The family would also like to give special thanks to the staff at Maple Ridge in Lowell for their attentive devotion, as well as Careline Hospice for their wonderful care in her last days.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday February 18, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Isidore Catholic Church with the Msgr. Edward Hankiewicz as celebrant. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Reyers North Valley Chapel where a rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Right to Life of Michigan.