Ethel Jessie Chapman, of Edgartown, died at home on Nov. 28 surrounded by loved ones. He was 97.

Ethel was born on March 4, 1928, in Waterville Maine. She was the daughter of Elsmore M. Penney and Eva M. (Latulippe) Penney.

She grew up on her family’s Penney Hill Farm, in Waterville, Maine, which was a well-known establishment in the area. In her youth she enjoyed milking cows, making cider, growing vegetables and assisting in running the farm stand.

She often told stories about various winter adventures she took, on the back roads of Maine, while riding in the rumble seat of her family’s Model T Ford, covered by a buffalo fur blanket for warmth. 

She graduated from Waterville High School in 1946, after which she made the decision to pursue a career in nursing. In 1950, she graduated nursing school and became an RN.

She met her first husband, Ken Carter, of Edgartown, while he was working for North East Airlines at Waterville Airport which was across the street from the farm. On Sept. 30, 1950, they married and Ken was transferred to Martha’ Vineyard Airport when North East Airline made the decision to move to Edgartown, Ken’s home town. There they bought a house and had three children.

In May of 1956, Ethel was widowed when Ken unexpectedly died during an operation at Martha’s Vineyard hospital. This was a challenging time for a young mother with three children ages five three and two, but she received support from family and friends, something that Ethel never forgot.

She worked hard as a nurse to raise her three young children. In 1957, she met Robert H. Chapman, known for playing golf at Edgartown Golf Club. He held the course record of 26 for years. In February of 1958, they were married and together they had a son, Jeffrey, bringing her total number of children to four.

Ethel settled down to Island life raising her four children and working as a private nurse.

In addition to her family and work life, she loved searching for antiques and hidden treasures. She spent many hours bargain hunting at estate and yard sales both on and off Island. She loved the bartering process, always looking for the best deals. In her retirement years, she would go on to open and operate the Edgartown antique store, Everything But.

Throughout the years, she was an active community member in the Edgartown as part of the Women’s Club, Garden Club, Methodist Church and the Council on Aging.

In her later years, she immensely enjoyed her weekly lunches, companionship and bridge games at The Anchors in Edgartown.

At the age of 90 she proudly became a member of the DAR, as an ancestor to Salathiel Penney, from Waterville, Maine, who fought in the Revolutionary War.

She is survived by one sister, Ruth Weeks of Florida, her children, Jessica Townes, James Carter and Jeffrey Chapman, all of Edgartown, as well as 14 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.

She was predeceased by her daughter Susan Burns and sister Rebecca Coffey.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Dec. 2, at Westside Cemetery in Edgartown.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking donations be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.