Virginia J.T. Chaplin

January 31, 1931 – December 16, 2022

Virginia Chaplin, dedicated community leader and beloved mother and grandmother, died peacefully in her home at the Chenango Valley Home Apartments on December 16, 2022.

Virginia was born in Montreal, Canada on January 31, 1931, the daughter of Victor A.B. LeDain and Marjorie Jean Tait. She is survived by her children, Michael Peter Chaplin (Diane Zelman), Cynthia Janet Chaplin (Adam Gordon) and her grandchildren, Mira, Saul, and Zane Chaplin, and Landers and LeDain Gordon. Her husband of 62 years, J. Peter Chaplin, pre-deceased her (2016).

Virginia was brought up in Ville St. Laurent, a suburb of Montreal, and she attended high school at The Trafalgar School for Girls in Montreal. She graduated with “distinction” from McGill University in 1952 with a Science Degree, majoring in human nutrition. Her first work was in the university student cafeteria at Macdonald College as Assistant Dietitian, a post she held for two years. Virginia married J. Peter Chaplin on November 6, 1954, and moved to Pointe-Claire, a suburb of Montreal, where their children Michael and Cynthia were born.

Virginia and Peter left Montreal in 1969, moving first to Mt. Prospect (Illinois) and then to Memphis (Tennessee). In each place, Virginia made a new home and embraced and contributed to the community. She worked in the school libraries, first as a volunteer, and then as an employee. She continued her volunteer work with children at the local children’s museums, and with the Girl Scouts. She received the “Volunteer of the Year” award from the Westbrook School in Mt. Prospect and from The Hutchsion School in Memphis.

Virginia and Peter relocated to Norwich in 1982, and Norwich became their true and lasting home. Virginia soon joined the Chenango Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was an active volunteer for over 35 years. While on the Hospital Auxiliary Board, she served on the Committee for the Pink Door, the hospital thrift shop, from 1988-1995, and later she was the editor of the Pink Paper, the Auxiliary newsletter, from 1995-2011. She enjoyed leading hospital tours for school students, visiting dignitaries, new volunteers and organizations meeting on the premises. She was a member of the Hospital Safety Committee, led employee appreciation events, participated in several special projects, supported Breakfast with Santa, and helped with the publication of Chenango Memorial Hospital: The 100-Year History of a Rural Central New York Hospital (by Johneen Loftus). For more than 20 years, Virginia welcomed staff and visitors from her post at the Lobby Reception Desk on Wednesday afternoons.

In 2015, she and Peter were the recipients of special recognition at the hospital, when the boardroom was renamed the “Chaplin Room” in their honor. A plaque outside the room explains the history of her and Peter’s service to the CMH over many years. Virginia was inducted into the 7,000-hour club in 2018 and was recognized as an exceptional volunteer at the 2019 Festival of Trees.

No matter where she lived, Virginia was always in a book club. In Norwich, she enjoyed being a member of the Minervas, a book club which has been active since 1935. During covid, she enthusiastically participated in her “family book club” via Zoom, where a multi-generational group discussed a different book every few weeks.

Virginia was also an active member of the United Church of Christ, First Congregational, in Norwich, working on different committees until 2018.

Virginia moved into the Chenango Valley Home Apartments in 2014, and there she thrived, entertaining old friends, making new friends, and continuing to contribute to her community. She was particularly proud of her work helping with the writing of a history of the Chenango Valley Home, which was published in 2021.

Throughout her life, Virginia was interested in the arts and literature, and was always ready for spirited discussions on many topics with good friends and family. She was a gracious and accomplished hostess and many enjoyed parties held by her and Peter, particularly their annual Christmas party.

Virginia found great joy in contributing to her community and touched many lives. In turn, she received tremendous support from her friends and her community. We extend our thanks to the staff of the Chenango Memorial Hospital and the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County. We would also like to thank Kim, Terri and Debbie for supporting her in the final days. And we send special thanks to the Chenango Valley Home and staff for providing our mother with a warm and supportive home for so many years.

A service of remembrance to honor Virginia’s life will take place on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at the UCC First Congregational Church in Norwich at 11:00am. An informal lunch and reception will follow at the Church. The service will be available via livestream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8TiKhpffs8

Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, 5:00-7:00pm.

If you would like to honor Virginia, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Chenango Valley Home & Apartments, 24 Canasawacta St., Norwich NY, 13815 or https://chenangovalleyhome.org/ways-to-give/

Funeral arrangements by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home