Julie (Stackhouse) Chapman of Natick, formerly of Wellesley, beloved wife of the late Denison Chapman, passed away with her family and Josie by her side on August 31 at nearly 98 years old. She and Denny had been married for 33 years before his death in 1979.
The only child of the late W. Eugene and Helen (Goss) Stackhouse, Julie grew up in Wellesley, graduating from high school in 1942. During WWII, she was a sergeant in the Women's Army Corps working as an Occupational Therapist with wounded service men in Virginia. When Denny returned from Okinawa in 1946, they were married and lived in Wellesley before settling in Natick, where they raised their cherished children, Penny and Ted.
They began square dancing in 1975 and were long-time members of the Square Riggers Square Dance Club. She considered the Club her extended family. Julie loved a funny joke and a good laugh and had plenty of both with her dancing pals!
She was a Den mother for Ted's Cub Scout group and an assistant leader for Penny's Girl Scout troop for 10 years where she made many life-long friends and treasured memories.
Julie worked for several years at Jordan Marsh and was employed at the Marco Polo gift store in Wellesley for 16 years. She retired in 2000 after 20 years with the Wellesley Bank.
An avid traveler, Julie enjoyed many trips to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Tahiti,13 square dance conventions in Bermuda, and many other trips in the States.
A big animal lover, Julie was always “owned by” at least one cat. Josie was forever by her side, when not on her lap.
She is survived by her daughter, Penny (Chapman) Fahlman and her husband Scott of Pittsburgh, PA, her son, Ted Chapman and his wife Kathy Walsh of Topsfield MA, and her dear grandchildren, Erin Murphy of Arroyo Grande, CA, and Brendan Murphy and his wife Kate of Topsfield, MA, and her great-grand daughters Keira and Heidi, also her nieces Stacey (Chapman) Zambetti and her husband Gerry, of Germantown, TN, and Kelly (Chapman) Zambetti and her husband John, of Duluth, GA, five grand-nieces and nephews, a great-grand niece, and cousins in Ohio and Canada.
Julie reluctantly leaves her many wonderful friends, tablemates, bingo friends, and caregivers at Sunrise Senior Living in Lynnfield. The family offers sincere thanks and deep appreciation to every single person at Sunrise, All Care Hospice, and Celci and “the ladies”. Julie was extremely well cared for, and we are most grateful for all the love, care, and attention she consistently received.
Julie also leaves good friends from high school, friendly neighbors, Army buddies, work friends, and beloved fellow square dancers. She is pre-deceased by her dearest companion, Gene Roberts of Wayland. Julie and Gene thoroughly enjoyed many decades together, dancing, dining, reading, and always enjoying a good laugh being together.
Julie, Denny, and their parents all left their bodies to Harvard Medical School for medical teaching and burial will be private. A memorial service and celebration of life at the Wellesley Congregational Church (UCC) 2 Central St. Wellesley, MA will be arranged and family and friends will be invited to attend.
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