Elise K. Chapin, age 96, of 215 Glenwood Drive, Saranac Lake, died peacefully on Tuesday July 14, 2009 with her family by her side at her son’s home in Saranac Lake.
Born in Cantonsville, Maryland on June 21, 1913, she was the daughter of William and Florence (Stirn) Kalb. She married D. Mott Chapin on June 23, 1942 in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on March 25, 1986.
Elise grew up in Catonsville, MD where she graduated from high school. In 1934 she graduated from Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD. Within a year of graduation, while working for Baltimore Gas and Electric, she was diagnosed with Tuberculosis and was sent to Saranac Lake to “take the cure”. She later met and married her husband Mott and together they studied pottery at both the Study and Craft Guild in Saranac Lake and at Alfred University.
Through the 1950’s, Mott and Elise ran The Pot Shop on Main St. Her time there was limited because she was busy raising two children. She was very dedicated to her adopted community, being involved in many civic organizations, such as the Village Improvement Society, the hospital, and Girl Scouts to name a few. Her favorites were St. Luke’s Church and the Saranac Lake Free Library, where she volunteered in the Adirondack Room until she was no longer able to get out and about. She was an avid gardener and cook and was never happier than when she was working in her gardens or cooking a meal for family or friends. Her last outing was to see her grandson’s vegetable garden and the site of her granddaughter’s upcoming wedding in the fall.
She is survived by one son David K. Chapin and his wife Sarah B. Wardner of Saranac Lake, NY, four grandchildren Gabe B. Chapin of Anchor Point, AK, Josh K. Chapin of Tupper Lake, NY, Sara C. Bullock and her fiancé Seth P. Shatraw of Saranac Lake, NY, Morgen E. Bullock and her fiancé W. Edward Healy of Portsmouth, NH, her devoted friends Bob, Kodiak, Cooper and Luke, and her special care givers Maryann Langdell, Mary Messer and Mary Kay Benham. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and her daughter and son-in-law Gail C. Bullock, and Bruce L. Bullock.
Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Sunday, July 19, 2009 from 3:00 PM �" 5:00 PM. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday July 20th at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Saranac Lake, with Mtr. Ann Gaillard officiating and assisted by Fr. Bob Lawthers. Interment will take place at North Elba Cemetery in Lake Placid at the convenience of the family.
Friends wishing to remember Elise K. Chapin may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Free Library or High Peaks Hospice and Palliative Care in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.