Frances Ford Chapman
Frances Ford Chapman, age 97, of Post Falls, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 25, 2011. She was born Feb. 8, 1914, in Motherwell, Scotland, to William and Jane (Smeaton) Ford. Because of World War I, she spent her early years living with her aunt, Christina, and grandfather, Francis Smeaton in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Her grandfather owned the local brewery adjacent to the grounds of Holyrood Palace, where she spent much of her childhood playtime. At the age of 8 her family migrated to the United States, arriving through Ellis Island, where she first viewed the Statue of Liberty. Her family settled in New Jersey where her father was employed by the governor of New Jersey.
During her years living in the town of Mendham, N.J., she became a Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader and was active in the affairs of the First Presbyterian Church. This church was used as an emergency hospital during the American Revolution. From this historic church she was married to Joseph T. Chapman on Oct. 14, 1939. In 1951 the family moved to Coeur d'Alene, where her husband was employed in the insurance business.
She raised her two sons, Joseph and William, and their many friends.
She worked with her husband in the insurance business for over 30 years. While living in Coeur d'Alene she was recognized in 1965 by the Viking Boosters for her volunteer work with high school athletics. Her letter to the editor on January 18, 1963, was a driving force in establishing an ambulance service in Coeur d'Alene. In 1972, with the burning of the Desert Hotel on Sherman Avenue, the business moved to Missoula, Mont.
For the next 12 years she was very active in the auxiliary of the Missoula Community Hospital and helped initiate the use of life line for senior residents in that community. She belonged to P.E.O. for over 40 years. Golf and bridge were her main interests, but travel was her main hobby. With her husband, China, Russia, all of Europe, Africa and Taiwan were on the agenda, but the northern European countries, especially Scotland, were Number 1 on her list.
In 1992 she and her husband moved back to Post Falls.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Joseph T. Chapman, and her brother, William Ford. She is survived by her sons, Joseph Chapman and Dr. William Chapman and wife, Judy, of Coeur d'Alene; grandsons, Jason and Adam Chapman; a niece, Jennifer Enwright-Ford and a cousin, Catherine Smeaton of Edinburgh, Scotland. She lived a great life.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Riverview Cemetery, Coeur d'Alene, with Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene in care of the arrangements. A reception will follow at the home of Dr. William Chapman. Please visit Fran's memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.