Lucille Olive Rose Chapman

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of an incredible, sweet lady, Lucille Olive Rose Chapman, who passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 96 at Central Okanagan Hospice House on the morning of April 24, 2023.

Lucille was born on September 18, 1926, in Nelson, BC where her parents owned a 12 acre farm, half of which was orchard. Her father passed away when she was 8 so she, her mother and brother moved to Cloverdale 5 years later to be closer to family. At age 16 Lucille and her brother moved to Vancouver where Lucille became the youngest telephone operator for BC Tel. Three years later she joined the Vancouver Sun and met Jack Ferguson and they were married in June, 1946. They had one son born in 1948 (Donnie) and a second son in 1952 (Barry). Unfortunately Donnie became severely ill and passed away at age 4. In 1956, Lucille became a widow at age 30 when Jack also passed away.

Lucille began working for Ellett Copper & Brass where she met Dick Chapman and were married in August, 1958, and a year later had a daughter (Denise). In 1972, they moved to Mara Lake where Lucille worked as a secretary at the elementary school. After enjoying the lakefront property for several years after retirement, in 1990 they moved to Sunrise Village in Kelowna where they loved enjoying all of the social activities that Sunrise Village offered. Lucille and Dick were happily married for 44 years until Dick passed away in March, 2002. Lucille continued to live in Sunrise until she decided to “downsize” and moved to Lakeshore Place in July, 2019.

Lucille will be deeply missed but will live on in the memories of her loving family: son Barry (Lou) and daughter Denise (Stephan), grandchildren Ryan (Lucy) and Denny (Monita), great grandchildren Tatianna, Brooklyn, Daniella and Hunter, her brother Richard “Cal” (Marilyn), and her nephews, nieces and many cousins plus the countless friends she had made throughout the years.

Lucille touched the lives of so many. She always maintained a bright, sunny and cheery attitude no matter what life threw her way. She was very caring, loving, and thoughtful, always having kind words for everyone. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, reading and going to the dinner theatre at Kelowna Actor’s Studio. Once she moved to Lakeshore Place, a highlight of her day was to walk to Gyro Beach to enjoy looking at the water and people watch, especially the children laughing and playing, or simply read a book. Her big bright smile and cheerful, bubbly personality will be greatly missed!

The world will be a sadder place without Lucille but her memory will be cherished forever in our hearts. Lucille, it gives us peace to know that you are now reunited with Dick and with all the loved ones who left before you. Whenever we look up at the shining moon, we know that you and Dick, our guardian angels, are looking down lovingly on us.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Lucille’s life at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at First Memorial Funeral Home, 1211 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lucille’s memory to the Salvation Army, Central Okanagan Hospice Society or charity of your choice.