Mildred Emma Chapman

Mildred Fyfe Chapman died peacefully in her sleep on January 1, 2023, after celebrating her 98th birthday the previous week with her daughter and grandchildren.

Mildred was born on December 23 ,1924, to Andrew and Wilhelmina Fyfe of Alder WA. She grew up loving the view of Mount Rainier from her bedroom window.

After graduating from Eatonville High School, Mildred’s career as a schoolteacher began as a freshman at the University of Washington (UW); this was interrupted because of a teacher shortage during the war. She was transferred to Western Washington University (WWU) for her junior year and then directly to teaching in Sumner, WA. She later returned to complete both her degree at UW and teaching certification at WWU.

Mildred married Dr Vaughn Chapman a Seattle dentist, their first home being in the University District; finally settling in Shoreline. Mildred was a believer who attended church all her life. Her husband Vaughn founded missionary dentists and Mildred trained to be his assistant so she could travel with him on medical missions. Those of us who knew Mildred will remember her stories of travelling as far as the headwaters of the Amazon in a small boat and famously shaking hands with a witch doctor in Haiti.

Mildred lovingly and graciously hosted many family celebrations, at her happiest with a home full of relatives and guests. She also loved the annual family 4th of July picnic at Alder Lake, WA.

Mildred is Survived by her daughter Melissa (Todd) Kummelman three grandchildren Lexi, Jake, and Reagan, also three nephews Doug, George, and Ted. She is remembered and loved by her great nieces and nephews, and many other family members.

Please consider a donation to Children's Hospital (https://www.seattlechildrens.org/giving/) or Union Gospel Mission (https://www.myugm.org) in Mildred's honor.