Addie Lee Pickus Chase, born and raised in Stratford, Connecticut, passed away on October 21 after a long illness. Addie was a beloved and well-known piano teacher in Fairfield and New Haven counties for over 40 years, inspiring generations of students with her passion for music and teaching.

The daughter of Stratford theatre owner Albert M. Pickus and Leliah Elliot Pickus, founder and conductor of the Queens of Rhythm in the 1930s, Addie grew up surrounded by creativity and performance. She was predeceased by her siblings Lois Pickus Harrison, Reyna Pickus Hassell, and Retired General Ross Pickus, and is survived by her devoted husband, Vincent Chase, whose steadfast love and care sustained her throughout her illness, as well as her cherished dogs, Shelby and Wyatt, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Addie began teaching piano in 1977 and mentored countless students, some of whom went on to become Grammy Award–winning musicians. She served as Music Director at Putney Chapel in Booth Memorial Park in Stratford, Connecticut, and taught students of all ages—from 4 to 90 years old—with extraordinary patience, humor, and heart.

She attended Wykeham Rise School in Washington, Connecticut, the University of Bridgeport, and New York University.
A lifelong lover of music and nature, Addie found joy in the simple beauty of birds and the enduring rhythm of song. Her final personal project was learning to play the guitar, a testament to her curiosity and optimism. A passionate advocate for animals and environmental causes, Addie lived with boundless compassion and an open heart.

If you were fortunate enough to know Addie, you know she was one of the most thoughtful, empathetic, and gentle souls you could ever meet. Her kindness, creativity, and spirit will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

A graveside funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at Union Cemetery 23 Temple Court Stratford. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Adzima Funeral Home- Stratford.