

Gladys was born in Auburn on July 14, 1942 to Merle and Marjorie (Gia) Merrill. She grew up in Auburn and graduated from Edward Little High School in 1960. She went to college to become a teacher, following the same path as her mother, Marjorie, her aunt, Dorothy, and her older sister Ginny. After teaching for three years in North Turner, she returned to Auburn in 1966, teaching for 21 years at Fairview and then 10 years at Auburn Middle School, impacting the lives of so many Auburn students. In 1995 she retired from teaching and was the Christian Education Director at the Auburn United Methodist Church for 10 years.
On her first trip to Caribou, Maine with her teaching colleague and friend, Gladys met Maynard Chapman in the parking lot of the bowling alley. Six months later, on December 23, 1967, they were married. Gladys and Maynard were blessed with two daughters, Shelly and Sarah. The family spent many years living on Summer Street in Auburn in a house full of much love and great fun. Gladys was so proud of the fact that her daughters Shelly and Sarah chose to carry on the family legacy and became teachers, more specifically third generation Auburn teachers.
Gladys loved life. She was active in many organizations through the years, including United Commercial Travelers, Delta Kappa Gamma, Danville Grange, and United Methodist Women. She filled her life with things she loved, cooking, the United Methodist Church, teaching, family, and friends. Gladys brought love, and laughter to those lucky enough to know her.
Gladys is survived by her husband, Maynard Chapman; daughter Shelly and her husband Todd Mogul; daughter Sarah and her husband Christian Duchette; grandchildren, Alissa, Alex, and Hannah; and great-grandson Hunter.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Danville Grange, United Methodist Church, or The Hospice House.
Danville Junction Grange
48 Pond Rd.
Raymond, ME 04071-6018
United Methodist Church
439 Park Ave.
Auburn, ME 04210
The Hospice House
236 Stetson Rd.
Auburn, ME 04210
All services will be held at the Auburn United Methodist Church on Park Avenue, Auburn. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026 from 2-4 and 6-8. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 2 pm
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