Doris Chapman peacefully returned to the Lord surrounded by family on September 24th. Doris was born in Rocky Hill, Connecticut to Dorothea (Doble) and Roy Durkee. She was the youngest of four sisters, Ruth (Lane), Norma (Plummer), and Christine (Currier). Doris grew up in Danvers, Massachusetts where her parents owned Sunbeam Dry Cleaners and where Doris worked as a young woman. Doris was a 1939 graduate of Holton High School in Danvers and received a post-secondary degree in domestic science from Essex Agricultural School.

Doris was 17 when she met Clarence "Chappy" Chapman at a youth group at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers. They married when Chappy turned 21 and honeymooned in New York City. When asked what she did for a living, Doris would say she worked every day of her life raising her family. When Chappy was stationed in Chicago during World War II, Doris accompanied him with their young daughter, Judith (Davis). They returned to Danvers and completed their family with three younger children, Dana, Alan, and Mary (Treadway) before moving to Andover, Massachusetts where they lived for 17 years. Doris worked endlessly and with pride supporting Chappy in his roles with Massachusetts Electric and Narragansett Electric, where he retired as vice president, which brought them to live in Worcester and Warwick, Rhode Island for a short while.

Doris and Chappy maintained a 24-acre family farm in Plymouth, New Hampshire for over 35 years where, once retired, they would spend most of their time. They continued their love of entertaining and cherished visits with their children and grandchildren. Doris and Chappy wintered in Fort Myers, Florida, where they made many memories with Doris's best friend Jean Merrill. During her retirement years in New Hampshire and Florida, Doris was an active member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Sisterhood, and supported Chappy's work with the Gideons.

In 2002, Doris moved back to Danvers, where she was a beloved member of the Maple Street Church and had a close-knit set of neighbors on Berry Street. She was also an active member of the Senior Center. During these later years in Danvers, Doris always looked forward to family gatherings where her heartwarming storytelling and heartfelt advice were the center of attention, and she was thrilled with the arrival of each new great grandchild and great-great grandchild.

For the last two years, Doris resided at Ashland Farm Senior Living in North Andover.  She appreciated the new friendships she made there and the care she received from many of the staff members.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, Doris would tell you, "a good night's sleep, a healthy diet, faith in the Lord, friends and family, and a sense of humor."

Doris is survived by her four children, and daughters-in-law Paula (Woodworth) Chapman and Jill Connolly, along with over 40 grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, as well as a loving extended family whom she held close in her heart. She is predeceased by her dear Chappy, her parents and sisters, her best friend Jean, and her grandson Kazia.

Services will be held at the Maple Street Church in Danvers, Massachusetts on Saturday, October 19th, at 11am.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the P.E.O. Sisterhood or the Gideons in Doris's name.

Doris, Mother, Mom, Gram, we will miss you dearly… until we meet again.