Carol Ann Chapman

Carol Ann (Kurtz) Chapman passed away Sunday, July 14, 2024, in Shoreline, Washington, at age 84. Carol was born on April 18, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to Westfield, New Jersey, when she was 6 months old. She graduated from Westfield High School in 1958 and Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She then went to Columbia University in New York City, where she got a master’s degree in history, and also met her husband, Jim Chapman, who was studying civil engineering. Carol taught U.S. history and world geography for three years at Ramapo Regional High School in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Jim and Carol were married in Westfield, New Jersey, on Aug. 20, 1966, and drove west to Seattle, where Jim started work at Boeing.

In 1972, they moved to Edmonds, where they lived for 40 years and raised their two children, Scott and Lisa. Carol enjoyed helping and connecting people and was incredibly generous with her time, energy and resources. She was an active member of Haller Lake United Methodist Church for 50 years, served as president of the Seattle branch of AAUW (American Association of University Women) and often volunteered at local food banks. Carol loved to travel, and she was proud to have visited all 50 states as well as 35 countries. She and Jim took many trips together; two of her favorites were to the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica. She also loved reading and current events, and was usually surrounded by stacks of books and newspapers.

Carol is survived by her son Scott Chapman and wife Gerri of Moscow, Idaho; and daughter Lisa Hill and husband Matthew, and granddaughters Kylie and Grace, of Issaquah, Washington. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Chapman; her parents, Carl and Dorothy Kurtz; and her brother, Ralph Kurtz.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 2 p.m. at Haller Lake United Methodist Church, 13055 First Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98125. Memorial contributions may be made to the church at hallerlakeumc.org.