Obituaries

Lake Forest Obituary: Leslie Chapman, 68

Visitation will be held May 21 and a memorial service May 24.

The following obituary is from Wenban Funeral Home:

Leslie T. Chapman, nee Haskell, 68, of Lake Forest, IL passed away May 16, 2014 surrounded by love and listening to her favorite song.

Leslie started her education at Immaculate Conception in Waukegan.  In 1964, she graduated from Waukegan High School and went on to attend Michigan State in Lansing, Michigan for two years.  She returned home, and in 1968 married Gary M. Thomas. 

Leslie began her 40 year career at Lake Forest College as an administrative assistant in Facilities Management.  While working full time, she completed her BA at LFC in 1979 and in 1982 she completed her MBA at Lake Forest School of Management.  She also met her husband of 30 years, Rich Chapman, while working at the college.  They married in the summer of 1980 at the LFC Chapel.

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In recognition of her formidable talents, Leslie was successively promoted at Lake Forest College until she was appointed Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer.  In her honor, LFC established the Leslie T Chapman Award for Administrative Excellence and Service and the Leslie T. Chapman Summer Internship at the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Historical Society.

Leslie was an engaged and a generous member of the Lake Forest community. She touched and made a difference in many lives.  Leslie was the “go to” person for many, personally and professionally. 

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In 2008, she received the Charlotte Simmons Award from Lake Forest College in recognition of her significant contributions to furthering beneficial relations between the college and the community.   In 2014 the Lake Forest – Lake Bluff Historical Society named an Intern Fellowship Fund in her honor for her 12 years of service as the Treasurer and Board Member of the Historical Society. 

Leslie loved hooking rugs with the Loopy Ladies from Lake Bluff.  For Leslie, hooking rugs was a creative journey.  She gave back to the Loopy Ladies by serving as Treasurer of their organization for many years. 

Leslie was the beloved wife of Richard J. Chapman; proud mother of Robin Thomas (Carl) Larsson of Chicago and Jillian Marie Chapman of Waukegan; adored daughter of Millie Haskell of Lake Bluff; beloved sister of Carolyn King of Chesapeake, VA and Tricia Strahan of Lake Bluff; well-loved sister-law of Jan & Larry Barbera of Menomonee Falls, WI and Jim Chapman of Bristol, Wi; fond aunt of Jamey Jones, Jason King, Erin Strahan, Natoli Barbera, Doug Chapman, and Lisa Conklin.

Visitation will be from 4-9 p.m., Wednesday, May 21st at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Avenue, Lake Forest. A memorial service will be Saturday, May 24th at11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, 700 N. Sheridan Road, Lake Forest. Interment is private.  Info – Wenban Funeral Home,www.wenbanfh.com or 847-234-0022.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to Lake Forest College, 555 N. Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045.


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