Patricia J. Chapman

Patricia J. Chapman passed peacefully on Sept. 30, 2024, just 15 days short of her 96th birthday. 

Pat was born to Art and Mary Blair of Williston, North Dakota on Oct. 15, 1928. She attended her school years in Glasgow, Montana. The year Pat graduated from high school, her family moved to the small town of Libby, Montana. 

Soon after her arrival in Libby she was introduced to her future husband, Bob Chapman. Bob and Pat were married on July 1, 1948, and soon built their first home together in South Libby. Bob and Pat were partners who worked side by side building or refinishing their homes together, including their treasured cabin on Crystal Lake.

Pat was always busy being wife, mother to seven children, and enjoying time with her large family, friends and various hobbies. Pat was an avid golfer, even hitting a hole-in-one at their winter home in Cathedral City. She spent many years enjoying ceramics and sharing her beautiful painted pieces with all.

She was involved in many church activities at both St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Libby and St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Meridian, Idaho. She was a member of the Alter Society as well as a Eucharistic Minister. Pat was also a full time supporter of the Libby Volunteer Fire Department. She enjoyed the fellowship of the Red-Hat Society, she founded one chapter at her church in Idaho and served as their Queen Mum.

Once Bob was semi-retired they spent 18 winters in Palm Springs, enjoying the sun, golf and travel. Every year since 1963, Pat and family would be found at her Golden Pond on Crystal Lake, truly her favorite place on earth.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Chapman; her sister, Joyce Petrusha; and her eldest son, Phillip Chapman. 

She is survived by her children, Lori Stazko, (Dennis) of Poway, California, Marylu Chapman of Libby, Montana, Joe Chapman, (Brenda) of Lewiston, Idaho, Pat Weiss (Andrew) of Eagle River, Alaska, Pamela Nelson, (Jeff) of Kenai, Alaska and Mike Chapman of Libby, MT. Also survived by Phil’s wife, Marlee Chapman of Meridian, Idaho. 

Pat’s large family includes 18 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren (including three sets of twins) and two great-great-grandchildren. Pat’s happiest times were when she was in the company of family.

Pat was always a positive, joyful person. One of her favorite sayings was “Smile and the whole world smiles with you, cry and you cry alone. She had a knack for seeing the good in all. Her ever present smile will be missed by all who loved her.

There will be a visitation at the Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, from 1 to 7 p.m. 

On Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m. and funeral services at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby. She will be interred at the Libby Cemetery alongside her husband of nearly 50 years. 

Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.

 There will be an additional service in Boise, Idaho at St. Mark’s Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Those services are under the arrangement of Accent Funeral Home.

Remembrances of Pat can be sent to Libby Volunteer Fire Department in Libby, Montana or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.