Laurel Chapman

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Laurel L.H. Chapman of Vineyard Haven died on September 30, 2013. She was 66.

Born in 1947 in Bridgeport, Conn., Laurel grew up in Trumbull, Conn. She graduated from Trumbull High School in 1965. She earned a B.A. and M.A. from Springfield College. She enjoyed one semester studying abroad at the University of Vienna. It was in Vienna where she met her husband, John, to whom she was married for 43 years.

Laurel enjoyed traveling, music, Broadway, writing, entertaining, and gourmet cooking. Most of all, however, she treasured spending time with her loving family and friends. Laurel taught at New Hampshire Technical College in Concord, N.H., for 10 years and Nashua Community College for 21 years. She also enjoyed a side career in real estate. She was an active member of the Henniker Congregational Church. The last 13 years of her life Laurel fulfilled her retirement dream of living on Martha’s Vineyard. She was an active member of West Tisbury Congregational Church. She also enjoyed organizing speakers for the library, attending writing classes, art classes, and book club.

Laurel was the beloved daughter of the late Harry E. Hansen and Mildred A. J. Hansen Lindgren. She is survived by her husband, John B. Chapman, and her only child, Heather, and her husband, Paul Angelastro.

Her generosity of spirit had her devoting much time to caring and providing meals for others. She will be missed by her family, her many friends, and all those who were lucky enough to be part of her life.

Laurel was laid to rest on a small hillside at the Oak Grove Cemetery on Martha’s Vineyard. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Memorial Gifts Fund of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury (PO Box 3000, West Tisbury, MA 02575), the Martha’s Vineyard Museum (PO Box 1310, Edgartown MA 02539) or the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library (200 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568).