Concetta Chapman Obituary

Concetta Chapman, 87, of Westerly, passed away on Feb. 21, 2023 at the Westerly Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, she was surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Pawcatuck to the late Antonio and Rose DiMarco. She was predeceased by her husband Ralph Chapman, sister Ann Marie Jakob, and beloved nephew Ricky Jakob. She is survived by her daughters, Susan DeSantis (Joey) of Westerly and Dr. Deborah Chapman of Pittsburgh. Her grandsons, Gregory and Dominic Campbell and Benjamin Calitri were her entire world. She spent many happy days with them at home, Seaside Beach Club, and Debbie's home in Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her step-granddaughters, Chelsea, Melanie, and Heather DeSantis, as well as her beloved nephews, Robert (Denise), and David, Cameron, and niece, Lori Jakob all of Westerly. She immigrated to Marina di Tusa, Sicily at nine months old where she would live with her parents and sister until after WWII. When Concetta was 12, the family immigrated back to Pawcatuck where she attended St. Michael's School. When the family moved across the river, she attended Westerly High School and graduated in 1955. She started working after school each day at Moore's Mill at the age of 13. After graduation she worked at WERI and then at Electric Boat, where she worked as an executive secretary for many years. She was a devoted Catholic, attending St. Pius X Church. For over 30 years, she attended daily Mass at 7am, followed by prayers and breakfast with Father Ray and her friends. She was a proud member of the Rosary and Altar Society as well as the PTA at State Street School. Family dinners were some of her happiest times, she loved nothing more than cooking and baking for her family. Her family all remembers sitting around her dining room table with amazing food, homemade wine with orange soda, and the best pies in town, with Grandma DiMarco hurling a roll across the table. As the families grew, Ralphie boy kept extending the table so we could all fit, squished but happy! She and Ralph loved traveling, dancing, and roller skating (where they met). In later years, she loved making wine and soupy and relaxing in the backyards shared on Batterson Ave. with the DeSantis family. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4-6pm at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St. , Westerly. Relatives and friends are also invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am on Friday at St. Pius X Church, 44 Elm St. , Westerly. There is no procession to church from the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, Pawcatuck. For online condolences please visit www. gaffneydolanfuneralhome. com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Pius X Church, 44 Elm Street, Westerly RI, 02891.