Ethel Jessie Chapman, 97, of Edgartown, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 28, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on March 4, 1928, in Waterville, Maine, she was the daughter of Elsmore M. Penney and Eva M. (Latulippe) Penney. Ethel grew up on her family’s Penney Hill Farm in Waterville, which was a well-known establishment in the area. In her youth she enjoyed milking cows, making cider, growing vegetables, and assisting in running the farmstand. She often told stories about various winter adventures she took on the back roads of Maine, while riding in the rumble seat of her family’s Model T Ford, covered by a buffalo fur blanket for warmth. Ethel graduated from Waterville High School in 1946, after which she made the decision to pursue a career in nursing. In 1950 she graduated from nursing school and became an R.N.
She met her first husband, Ken Carter of Edgartown, while he was working for North East Airlines at Waterville Airport, which was across the street from the farm. On Sept. 30, 1950, they married, and Ken was transferred to Martha’s Vineyard Airport when North East Airline made the decision to move to Edgartown. There they bought a house and had three children. In May of 1956, Ethel was widowed when Ken unexpectedly passed away during an operation at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. This was a challenging time for a young mother with three children aged 5, 3, and 2, but she had support from family and friends that Ethel never forgot.
Ethel worked hard as a nurse to raise her three young children. In 1957 she met Robert H. Chapman, known for playing golf at Edgartown Golf Club. He held the course record of 26 for years. In February of 1958 they were married, and together they had Jeffrey, bringing her total number of children to four. Ethel settled down to Island life, raising her four children and working as a private nurse.
In addition to her family and work life, Ethel loved searching for antiques and hidden treasures. She spent many hours bargain-hunting at estate and yard sales both on and off the Island. She loved the bartering process, always looking for the best deals. In her retirement years she would go on to open and operate the Edgartown antique store, Everything But.
Through the years Ethel was an active member in the Edgartown Women’s Club, Garden Club, Methodist Church, and the Council on Aging. In her later years Ethel immensely enjoyed her weekly lunches, companionship, and bridge games at the Anchors in Edgartown. At the age of 90 she proudly became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as a descendant of Salathiel Penney from Waterville, who fought in the Revolutionary War.
Ethel is survived by one sister, Ruth Weeks of Florida; her children, Jessica Townes, James Carter, and Jeffrey Chapman, all of Edgartown; as well as14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her daughter, Susan Burns; and sister, Rebecca Coffey.
A graveside service was held on Dec. 2, at Westside Cemetery in Edgartown. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, online at hospiceofmv.org/donations.
