Obituary of Barbara W. Chapin

Barbara Wise Chapin of Rye, New York, and Nantucket, Massachusetts, joined her beloved husband of more than 60 years, Donald Chapin, on Monday, November 19, 2018. Barbara Joan Wise was born on February 19, 1929, the daughter of Wells Francis and Andrea (Shea) Wise. She graduated from the College of New Rochelle -- a small Catholic women's college in Westchester County, NY -- in 1951 and soon after graduation married Donald Chapin, a young accountant. She and Don raised six children, mostly in Larchmont, New York, which the family moved to In 1954. His work and her sense of adventure took them to Paris for several years, a residency in Cairo, and and almost a decade in Washington, D.C. Together they traveled the world, often with their children in tow. As an active volunteer at her church, her children's schools and local non-profits, Barbara gave selflessly of her time and boundless energy. In 1975, she ran as the first woman candidate for mayor in Larchmont, losing narrowly. That sparked a lifelong interest in politics and an involvement with the Democratic party. Barbara and Don moved to the Nation's Capital in the early 1990s. She served several years in the Clinton White House as Volunteer Coordinator. She also served with The Hospitality and Information Service (THIS) whose core belief in the power of Citizen Diplomacy mirrored her own sentiment - the building of understanding and personal relationships between ordinary individuals from different cultures. Her community service legacy would continue into her eightieth year as she and Don volunteered to help with phone canvassing and driving voters to the polls. Barbara was a generous and loving hostess, opening her home to countless friends and family. She was passionate about the 'cuisine' she would assemble and share with those she loved. While living in Paris she attended the La Varenne Cooking School. Her food career culminated with the publishing of a 'greatest hits' recipe book with dishes and pictures of friends for each decade of her life. Following her first visit in 1977, Barbara also began a 40+ year love affair with the people and island of Nantucket. There she bought and restored homes on streets with names of Orange, Pine, West Chester, North Liberty, Lilly and York. She often used these properties to provide housing for several of her own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and friends' children while they visited and or worked over the summer. Her legacy of Nantucket love lives on in those she had an opportunity to touch. A voracious reader, a student of geography, politics, religion, history and literature, Barbara was curious about life and every person she met. In her later years, residing at The Osborn in Rye, New York, she volunteered in the library, welcomed new residents, planted an herb garden for the dining facilities, learned to play bridge, and brought joy to everyone she met. She will be deeply missed by her six children -- Patricia (Charles) O'Donnell, Stephen (Deborah) Chapin, Susan (Brian) Lenane, Andrea (Edward) Crowley, Thomas (Betsy) Chapin, and Daniel Chapin -- thirteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a sister, Andrea Wise Leech. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at The Osborn, 101 Theall Road, Rye, New York, on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Osborn Foundation , the College of New Rochelle, or the Palliative & Supportive Care of Nantucket Foundation . In her memory, keep an open mind and heart and dare to wear purple!