Jean M. Chapman

Jean Marie (Gosciminski) Chapman, age 89, of Somerset, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida, died peacefully at home in Massachusetts on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, after a short illness. She was born on November 6, 1934, in Fall River, Massachusetts. She was a resident of Somerset since 1966 and Naples since 1993.

She was the daughter of the late Chester Gosciminski and Margaret "Peg" (O'Neil) Gosciminski. She was married to the late Douglas Everett Chapman for 65 years. They met in high school and were both members of the Durfee High School Class of 1952.

She is survived by sons Douglas C. "D.C." Chapman of Somerset; and Drew J. Chapman and his wife Julie (Salmon) of Assonet, MA; grandchildren Judson Chapman and his wife Kathleen (Day), their sons Remington Douglas and Beau Everett, and daughter Esme Grace, of Somerset, MA; Ian Chapman and his wife Carah (Cantillon), and their daughter Charlotte of Tavares, Florida, and Hannah Rose Chapman and Lillian Jean Chapman of Assonet, MA.

She received undergraduate degrees from Bryant College, now Bryant University, and Southeastern Massachusetts University, now University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and a master’s degree from Lesley University. She was a member of the sorority Delta Kappa Gamma.

She taught mostly First Grade in the Fall River School Department from 1965 to 1992, including at the Lincoln School, Lincoln Annex, Talbot Middle School and Westall School. She also taught at the St. Vincent's Home School.

She was a long-time member of The Fall River Country Club, the Westport Yacht Club and Glen Eagle Country Club in Naples. She loved fashion, history, reading and most of all spending time with her grandchildren. She also served as a docent for the Fall River Historical Society upon her retirement from teaching. She was also a member of the Somerset Historical Society.

She enjoyed the care and camaraderie she received from the Happy In My Home agency's Home Health Aides. In particular, they enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, with Jean answering Final Jeopardy as often as the contestants on television.

Visiting hours are Monday, September 23, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM in the Waring Sullivan Funeral Home, 866 County Street, Somerset, MA, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Thomas More Church, Luther Ave. Somerset at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the First Tee of Massachusetts, c/o Mass Golf, 300 Arnold Palmer Boulevard, Norton, MA 02766 or the Somerset Berkley Athletic Hall of Fame, c/o SB Athletic Boosters Club, 625 County Street, Somerset, MA 02726.