Lois M. Chapman

1927-2023

Lois Marie Chapman, longtime Hilton Head Island resident, passed away at her home at Ashby Ponds in Ashburn, VA surrounded by her family. Lois was 95. She was a devoted Catholic and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Lois was born in Glastonbury, CT on September 5, 1927 to Anthony and Elizabeth Starr and was one of five sisters. When she was 14, Lois and her sisters took a bus across the country to move to the west coast when her father took a new job in California. There, she would meet the love of her life, Frank Chapman.

Lois and Frank married on June 7, 1952. They would have three children–Patty, Sue, and Michael. As Executive Vice President for F.W. Woolworth, Frank would travel often, and Lois joined him for several Hawaii trips. More importantly, Frank and Lois really loved traveling for pleasure. Together, they visited many countries, including New Zealand, China, Scotland, and Italy.

When Frank retired, Lois and Frank moved to Hilton Head Island and into the house of their dreams with a view of the water. Lois loved Hilton Head and its beautiful beaches. She especially enjoyed hosting her children and grandchildren there every summer. When Frank sadly passed away in 2010, Lois would remain in Hilton Head for another decade.

In October 2021, after over 30 years in Hilton Head Island, Lois moved to Virginia to be closer to her family. While in Ashburn, VA, Lois was able to spend much more time with her children and their families, including sharing many meals together, seeing movies, and playing rounds of her favorite game–Rummikub.

Lois loved watching the news, sports (especially football), playing board games, doing crossword puzzles, and listening to music. She was keenly interested and engaged in the lives of her entire family. Extremely generous and kind, Lois would do anything to help her family members. She was devastated when her son Michael suddenly passed away earlier this year on February 14, 2023.

Lois led a full and meaningful life and will be deeply missed by her family, including her two daughters Patty (John Koper) and Sue (John Byrne), daughter in law Monica, eight grandchildren (Chris, David, Rachele, Kate (Brett Kanoff), Melissa (Patrick Cayson), Kevin, Jennifer and Amanda (Jimmy Bench)), and two great grandchildren (Max and Mia).

There will be a family service on July 8th in Northern Virginia and a Celebration of Life in New Jersey in the near future. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/.