Lori Ann Russell-Chapin

Lori Ann Russell-Chapin dedicated her life to uniting the wonders of the heart and the powers of the mind. Her passing on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 has left a legacy that will now be carried forward by family, friends and countless others that were touched by her lessons of loving and learning.

Born and raised in Basin Wyoming, Lori learned her unparalleled depths of compassion from family. Her mother Helen (McKay) Russell, father Bill Russell, brother Don Russell, his wife Cheri (Sawyer) and sister Debi Boland and her husband Biff all became loving role models that created memories with Lori that were cherished beyond measure. Lori’s love also extended to being an aunt to Richard Russell, Bill Russell, Tracy (Boland) Bruedigam, Todd Boland, Tara Boland and the Chapin family.

Lori eventually left home in her unending pursuit of growth, knowledge, and service. As she paved an impressive professional path that saw her earn a PhD in counselor education from the University of Wyoming, Lori’s journey also led her to discover a new meaning to love and connection when she married Ted Chapin in an open air chapel near Medicine Bow Park Wyoming with a glorious view of the Colorado Rockies on July 9, 1987.

Lori and Ted served not only one another in marriage, but also the world as partners in the counseling field. Their private practice began providing mental healthcare services in 1986 and continues to meet the needs of the Peoria community. Together, they also traveled across the United States and the world to teach fellow counseling professionals. These moments deepened both their impact on others, as well as their loving bond with each other.

Lori’s excitement and devotion towards counseling, education, research and neurocounseling for change made her a natural teacher and healer. Her tenure as a professor at Bradley University reflected this aptitude as Lori earned many accolades, including the American Mental Health Counseling Association’s Counselor of the Year, American Counseling Association’s Trailblazer Award, the Burlington Northern Foundation Jr. Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching, the Rothberg Award for Professional Excellence in Research, the Putnam Award winner for excellence in teaching, a Caterpillar Professorship and being named an American Counseling Association Fellow, recognizing her amazing contribution to the counseling profession.

Alongside her robust professional success, Lori was most proud of the family she and Ted made after adopting daughter Elissa and son Jaimeson. This family continued to grow with Jaimeson’s marriage to Jody (Vance) that made Lori a grandma to their four incredibly radiant daughters: Shelby, Makenzie, Haylee and Ryleigh; and the addition of Adam Morris, Elissa’s partner.

Lori blended grace with sophistication, poise with tenderness and brilliance with affection. Her life path shone brightly with unconditional love, caring and nurturing. She offered compassion and empathy to all she met. Her presence was unmistakably mesmerizing and it enriched everyone she encountered in life. Lori was, is, and forever will be a magnificent soul that will continue to be a guiding light to many.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of Lori’s life will be held at 5:00 PM on Friday, April 5, 2024 with memorial visitation from 3:00 to 5:00 pm prior to the ceremony at the Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, 2408 West Willow Knolls in Peoria. A live stream will be available from the Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home Facebook page.

Condolence cards may be mailed to Ted and Lori’s home in Peoria. Lori’s memory may also be honored by supporting professional counseling students through her endowed scholarship at Bradley University. Gifts may be made out to the “Drs. Lori Russell-Chapin and Theodore Chapin Endowed Award for Neurocounseling at Bradley University”.

Lori’s memorial page may be viewed through Woolsey-Wilton.com