How long have you lived in Bridgeport? If not a lifelong resident, tell me what brought you here.

I would say I’m a lifelong resident with a small break in the middle. I grew up in Bridgeport and moved away in Dec of 1989. I lived in the states of Delaware and New York before moving back in Nov of 1997. The pull to move back was always there but when my nephews Salvatore and Santino Cava were born here (1994 and 1996), I could not stand living away and not being home to watch them grow up.

 

Are you married, have kids? Tell me about your family.

I have been married to Mike Chancey since April 2003. Almost 17 years and we still feel like newlyweds! I have no biological children, but Mike came with two sweet girls who are now beautiful young women. Katelyn (Chancey) Williams and Kendall Chancey. It’s been a joy to be a part of their lives. Katelyn and her husband Matt gave us one of our greatest blessings in our grandson Gunner.

 

What about pets?

The only pet I ever had was our family pet Chippy when I was very young. He was my brother Mark’s dog but we “shared”. 

 

Where do you work and what do you do there?

I currently work at WVU Medicine as the Manager of the Corporate Accounts Payable department. I’ve only been there for a little over a year. My longest tenure was at United Hospital Center as the Director of Patient Accounts for nearly 20 years.  

 

What are your hobbies/favorite past times?

Two of my loves are my family and my Mountaineers. We love spending time with our families (especially that grandbaby who will be 5 years old this year!) and we have season tickets for Mountaineer football and basketball. I also enjoy working in and with our community whenever possible. I currently serve as the Board Chairperson for Health Access Clinic in Clarksburg. I’ve also been in involved with many aspects of the United Way of Harrison County, Leadership Harrison, Rotary Club of Harrison County and Gorilla Youth.  

 

Favorite Bridgeport spot?

This will seem anti-climactic, but I love where I live in Charles Pointe. We live in the duplex community in Parkview Village. We love our neighbors and have started having block parties in the Summer/Fall. We love that we can walk to food places, to a little fishing pond down the street and although it sounds corny, it feels like the “old days” in our neighborhood.

 

What do you like about Bridgeport … why is this a good place to live?

I love the people and the relationships that I have in Bridgeport. I love how the community rallies around their neighbors in need. It’s hard to describe. It’s just “home”. I don’t think I truly appreciated how I felt about Bridgeport and being home until I moved away and was able to come back. When I go places, I always know that I’m going to run into a friend or a friend of our family. It’s safe, comforting, stable.

 

One – or more – of your favorite memories of something that took place in Bridgeport ...

When my sisters and I were “coming of age”, the place to be on the weekends was without a doubt, Skateworld. We absolutely had to be at Skateworld every weekend and for BOTH sessions (Skateworld fans will know what that means!). Those are great memories. I tease my husband that I’m still the best backward skater around, haha!

 

What is your favorite WV spot outside of Bridgeport?

We love going to the Canaan area…Davis, Thomas. It’s so beautiful and we prefer to go in the seasons of Spring/Summer/Fall versus Winter skiing. The area with its peaceful fishing streams and quaint town spots provide a place where you just feel all the stress of the world melt away.

 

How about your favorite place outside of WV?

Nags Head/Outer Banks area hands down. My immediate family (parents, brother, sisters, spouses, kids) have been vacationing there as a family for over 20 years. There can be anywhere from 20 to 25 people in one big house. It’s awesome.

 

What are some of your favorite things? Food/restaurant? Favorite color? Music genre/artist?

We love going out to eat. The food places in Bridgeport are great but it’s the social aspect of it as well. Being within walking distance to places like Mia Margherita and Meaghers is great but we also love Oliverio’s (I’ve been going there since it was Sonny’s Restaurant!), Almost Heaven, Minards and Bonnie Belles in White Oaks and although it’s not in Bridgeport, I have to mention my cousin Rocco’s place, Muriales. I’m known as the “planner” in our family, so I love planning get -togethers and gatherings. I’ve hosted Thanksgiving for our family, anywhere from 20 people to 60 people, for over 10 years.

 

What is your best childhood memory?

I absolutely loved the Fireman’s Fair in Bridgeport when I was a kid. Looking back, it was such a tiny little fair, but I loved that it was in the summer right around my birthday and you just knew everyone would be there. I also loved attending the Italian Heritage Festival as a child with my family. I know that is not a Bridgeport event, but I feel that people came from all over to attend. That is still an event that I really look forward to every year.  

 

Interesting fact about you and/or something you would like to add…

Although I’ve worked in the Healthcare realm most of my life, it might be interesting to know that my college degree was in Secondary Education. I was a high school Math teacher for a very brief time in Delaware before paths just led me away from that profession. After I obtained my Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration, the plan was somewhat set, and I never returned to teaching.