Barbara was born in Johnstown, PA on October 12, 1932 and grew up with her older siblings Russell and Laura in the suburb of Westmont. Her parents Russell Yost (an attorney) and Ruth Dorworth Yost (an English teacher) provided a home that was adored by all. Barbara was a bit of a “Tomboy” growing up; she played basketball with the boys and would often request additions to her model railroad collection rather than the more typical requests for a girl her age. Barbara attended Swarthmore College where she met her first husband Robert Stewart. After their marriage she had two boys, Russell and Douglas, and moved back to Swarthmore to raise them. She worked as a Laboratory Assistant in the Biology Department of her alma mater and then decided to further her education. Barbara first completed her Masters Degree and then received her PhD in Biochemistry from Bryn Mawr College. She eventually became a full Professor in the Biology Department at Swarthmore College.
Barbara married Robert Chase in 1991 and resided in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida before eventually moving to Brittany Pointe Estates retirement community in Lansdalej PA. She was very active there, serving as the head of the Culinary Department and revamping the community newsletter as its editor. She was probably best known in the community for the many “Scavenger Hunts” she and her friend Jeff O’Malley created for the residents. They involved difficult puzzles and creative experiences that received national attention within the retirement community.
Barbara passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024. She is survived by her first husband Robert Stewart, two sons, Russell and Douglas (who miss her wit and presence terribly), two Daughter-in-laws, Anne and Liz, three grandchildren, Dustin, Christine and Tim, and five great grandchildren, Danny, Charlie, William, Henry and Fiona.
A Memorial Service will be held 2 PM, January 11, 2025 in the Brittany Pointe Estates Auditorium, 1001 S. Valley Forge Rd., Lansdale, PA. Memorial contributions in Barbara’s memory may be made to the Brittany Pointe Estates Samaritan Fund at ACTS Legacy Foundation, PO Box 7616, Fort Washington, PA 19034 or at ActsLegacyFoundation.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Nancy Ball
January 6, 2025 at 4:32 pm
To members of Barbara’s family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Bob Chase and I were Lafayette friends which is how I got to know Barbara. She was bright, funny, and a joy to be with. Bob “dragged his feet” about moving to a retirement community but, when I first visited them at Brittany Pointe, he told me that he wished he had agreed to do it sooner — Barbara had been right about the decision. It was good to see how happy they both were there. It was also nice to see how the Brittany Pointe folks supported Barbara after Bob passed away which is not a surprise because Barbara had so quickly become active in the communtity. She was a delightful lady and I am glad that I had the opportunity to know her.
Nancy Ball
Katie Kwon
January 16, 2025 at 8:35 am
I think I still have in my papers the letter that Dr Stewart sent me evaluating my MCAT scores. I decided late to attend medical school, so I had already graduated Swarthmore. Dr Stewart called me at my parents’ house to “forcefully nudge me” to complete my application. Many years later I am grateful for my career as a physician. All the premeds were anxious to impress Dr Stewart, and her expression of belief in me carried me through the challenges of early training. Thank you Dr Stewart.