Gertrude Chapin

Gertrude Regina Chapin passed away Saturday, November 16, 2024 surrounded by her husband and daughters at her home in Schoolcraft, Michigan.

Gertrude (Trudi) was born October 27, 1931 in Boston, Massachusetts to Earl and Wilma Buchanan. Her mother and father both died when Trudi was very young and she and her siblings became wards of the City of Boston entering the foster care system. Her older sister Augusta was raised by a relative, but her other two siblings, Grace and Earl, along with herself were eventually raised by Mrs. Daisy Fish moving and growing up in Whitman, Massachusetts.

Trudi graduated from Whitman High School in 1950 and went on to secretarial college graduating from Boston Clerical School in 1952. One of her first jobs after graduation was at the Commonwealth Shoe and Leather Company. Once she moved to Michigan she had a long working career at the Kalamazoo County State Bank in Schoolcraft, Michigan working later in her life with her daughter Stephanie who also had a long career in the banking industry.

At the age of 25, Trudi married John Firman Chapin (Firman) at the Whitman Baptist Church, where she was a member, on October 19, 1957. The couple just celebrated their 67th anniversary this year. Trudi was introduced to Firman when he was in the Army based in Maine. Introductions were made when he was on leave visiting with his Army buddy Jim, who lived just down the street from where she was living in Whitman, Mass. She loved his good nature and the mutual love of dancing. After their marriage, Trudi followed Firman back to Schoolcraft, Michigan to reside on the Chapin family farm, where she lived the rest of her life sharing the country life gardening, raising chickens, and cows.

Trudi raised two daughters that survived her, Stephanie Chapin and Melanie Chapin-Lechner. She is also survived by her husband John Firman (Firman) Chapin and her grandson, Zachary Lechner, and her son-inlaw Jerry Lechner.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Wilma Buchanan and her three siblings, Augusta (Gus), Earl and Grace.

Trudi loved to go dancing, with her husband and friends spending many Saturday nights at the various VFW's, Eagles Club, Moose Lodges and locations where there was a good band and a lively dancing environment. Trudi was always remembered as the gal who danced in her socks so she could move her feet to the quick stepping music. Not to limit her dancing abilities, Trudi and Firman also learned to square dance with friends, enjoying her love of country western music. Trudi also loved Polka music and the two were found on the dance floor whenever the band played a lively polka tune, even to the chicken dance!

Once Trudi retired she decided to learn to play the organ, taking lessons and practicing on the large organ that still resides in their living room as a reminder of the music she used to play. Trudi loved to collect dolls as a hobby, and has many Barbie dolls, personality dolls such as Shirley Temple, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, and even a Gorbachev doll. A co-worker brought her a doll from Japan for her collection and she loved to collect porcelain dolls and even has dolls from Alaska to round out her collection.

Once Trudi and Firman both retired, they spent their winters for at least 10 years traveling to Mission, Texas. It was there where they also ventured into Mexico and the surrounding areas. The twosome loved to travel in their RV heading to a multitude of states, such as Minnesota, traveling sometimes with friends. The two also traveled as far as Hawaii and ventured on a cruise in Alaska.

One of the fondest memories her daughters share are the many Black Friday Sales where Trudi made sure they were up at 3 am and in line for the competitive Black Friday Sales.

In accordance with the family's wishes cremation has taken place and a public memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Avink, McCowen and Secord Funeral Home, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097 with at time for visiting beginning at 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am with Pastor Martin Cobb officiating. Gertrude will be laid to rest at Schoolcraft Cemetery following the service.

The service can be live streamed at:

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a24126355486497

Donations and memorials can be sent to either the Kalamazoo Humane Society ℅ Charles and Lynn Zhang Animal Care and Resources Center, 2272 River Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49048 or to the Centrica Care Navigators, Gifts can be online or by mail to 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Trudi's guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Chapin family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. 269-649-1697.