Mabelle "Mae" Irene Beales Chance passed away peacefully on Jan 3, 2020 at Orchard Creek Supportive Care. She was born on Sep 30, 1920 in Detroit the only child of William Harry and Irene Rieden Beales. Mabelle always spoke of a happy childhood in Detroit with many friends and relatives.
She graduated from Western High in 1938, after which she attended the University of Southern California and later Wayne State University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in education and later a Master of Arts in special education.
Mabelle started her teaching career in Birmingham and later taught for many years in the Detroit Public Schools. Her last 16 years in education were spent teaching special education, as well as developing special education curriculum for the Detroit Public Schools.
In addition to teaching, she and her husband were very active as volunteers for the Detroit Association for Retarded Citizens.
Whenever Mabelle had free time, she loved to be around water. She and her husband built a home on East Bay of Lake Michigan in 1979 and enjoyed lake living throughout their retirement years.
She loved to travel and had many interesting adventures. They included a trip to the Orient, travel throughout Europe, as well as various destinations across the US. Many winters were spent in Clearwater Beach, FL, a favorite vacation spot.
She is survived by her son, Randolph; daughter, Claudia (Warren Jones); three grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph H Chance Jr; son, Joseph H Chance III; and grandson, Aaron Chance.
A private family ceremony will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Ogdensburg Cemetery, Traverse City.
Arrangements are being handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
