DORIS JOY LESO CHAPMAN
"Teddie"

September 1st, 1924 - December 8th, 2009

On Tues., Dec. 8, 2009, Dale, Paul, Beverly, Fayralyn and Esther lost the "BEST MOM IN THE WHOLE WORLD."

"Teddie" was born Sept. 1, 1924 in Denmark, Maine on the family farm to John Leso and Anna Lukac Leso; she was the 11th of 12 children. She attended Denmark Village School. During World War II she lived and worked in So. Portland at the "Ship Yard" as a welder on the Liberty Ships.

On Oct. 21, 1946 she married Clayton Chapman of Brownfield, whom she had met prior to and corresponded with over four years while he was away in the Army Air Corps. They had just recently moved into a home in Brownfield in Oct. 1947, with infant daughter Esther, when the "Fire of ’47" swept the area, leaving them as many other local folks at the time with the task of "starting over." In 1952 they moved into their home on Main St. in Brownfield, and raised their family of five until Clayton's untimely death in 1967. Teddie later moved back to "The Farm" in Denmark in the early 1980s to care for her eldest sister. During this period she worked at the Blueberry Muffin in No. Conway, N.H. for 10 years until her retirement. Teddie then moved to Waterford Acres in 1994 where she lived until her death after a brief illness.

She is survived by her children: Esther Walker of Brownfield, Fayralyn Davis of Harrison, Beverly Chapman of Stoneham, Paul Chapman of Waterford and Dale Chapman of New York City; her grandchildren: Elly Walker McAllister of Brownfield, Erik Walker of Brownfield, Justin Rand of Buckfield, Laura and Daniel Rand of Harrison; her great-grandchildren: Stacy McAllister of Syracuse, N.Y. and Todd Walker of Brownfield, ME.; her sisters Fayralyn "Babe" of Tamworth, N.H. and June of Rochester, N.H.; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Teddie was active in sports in high school and drew satisfaction from involvement with her "kids" as they participated in various venues over the years, a slightly rebellious "Tom Boy," she most enjoyed outdoor activities her entire life.

Teddie is fondly remembered for her ability to savor the simple pleasures life has to offer, she loved family gatherings, especially "the night before the 4th," laughter came easily to her and those around her! She was infected with wanderlust and was known for her frequent adventures driving to visit family, friends or just to take a ride in the area. She was extremely proud of all her "kids" and in her later years was tickled to make day trips with them as individuals or as groups, special favorite times were time spent visiting her younger sister "Babe" in Tamworth N.H. and nieces and nephews; attending Sea Dogs games, Historical Society meetings and trips to Wal-Mart where she could be seen cruising in a scooter!!! "making the best of things" was a motto she lived by.

A graveside service is planned for Spring, followed by an outdoor get together of family and friends. Date and details will be posted in May.

Donations in memory of “Teddie” Chapman may be made to Hospice House at 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME. 04210.