Sophie I. Chafe, 89, of Merrimack, and formerly of Andover, MA, passed away on Monday April 27, 2015 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack after a period of declining health.

She was born in South Boston, MA on February 11, 1926, daughter of the late Joseph and Marianna (Chmielak) Nowak.

Sophie was a summer resident of Merrimack for many years, and a year round one when she retired.

Sophie was married to the late Edward V. Chafe, Sr. who died in 1969.

In addition to her parents, she was pre-deceased by her brother Walter M. Novak.

Members of her family include her sons, Edward V. Chafe, Jr. and James S. Chafe and his wife Paula; grandchildren Jennifer Calderara and her husband Matthew, Justin Chafe and his wife Justin-Marie; great-grandsons Andrew, Zachary, Nicholas, and Vincent Calderara; a great-granddaughter Anna Chafe; her sisters, Helen and Mary Trzcinski, and many nieces and nephews.

In her life, she was a member of the Krakowiak Polish Dancers of Boston and St. Mary's Choir entertaining at Camp Devens and Edward during the war. She was also a member, and past treasurer, of the Merrimack Senior Club.

She worked for Phillips Andover Academy as a gift recorder for 26 years.

Calling hours will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack on Thursday April 30 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 16 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack on Friday May 1 at 9:30 AM. Burial will be held in Quincy, MA at a later date at the convenience of the family.

Donations in her memory can be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at stjude.org/donate