Ethel Chapman Lake

AUBURN — Ethel Chapman Lake, 91, of Wilton, was baptized Tuesday evening and passed away peacefully early Thursday at the Hospice House with her family by her side. She was born in Mercer on Feb. 16, 1926, a daughter of Leander and Myrtle (Hanson) Chapman. When the Chapman family moved to North Jay, it was Ethel’s wishes to attend Wilton Academy. To pay her tuition, she washed dishes at the academy and walked many miles each way. She was a devoted mother to her four daughters and retired from G.H. Bass & Co., where she had worked in the mail room. She later worked part time at Carousel of Crafts. On June 8, 1945, she married Ralph “Bill” Lake, and they were together for 30 years. She enjoyed her home, feeding and watching birds and going to Lakewood Theater with family and friends as an annual tradition. She attended many activities of her children and grandchildren, seldom missing a game and always cheering them on.

She is forever loved by her family: daughters Londa (Ron) Dennett of Zephyr Hills, Florida; Karen (Jeff) Sweetser of West Farmington; Sue (Jim) Cantrell of Temple; and Kimberly (Jim) Alexander of Pocono Summit, Pennsylvania; grandchildren Shawn (Johanna) Dennett of Franklin, Massachusetts; Nickolas Stanley of West Farmington; Adam Stanley of Starks; Sayward and Lukas (Devin) Sweetser of Farmington; Ami (Richard) Seamon of Auburn; James (Melissa) Cantrell of Gardiner; Melissa (Scott) Stinchcomb of Freeport; Trevor (Leslie) Alexander of Mt. Holly, New Jersey; Amber(Chelsea Smith) Alexander of Denver; 18 great grandchildren; 1 great-great granddaughter; and special friends Lee Masterman, Ann Kendall, Vivian Lovak and Sylvia Holman. Ethel was predeceased by four grandchildren: Jennifer Lynn Dennett and Jason, Justin, and Jeromy Alexander; brothers Frank and Kenneth Chapman; and sisters Jean Redlevske and Verna Filteau; and a special sister-in-law, Hazel Chapman Duguay.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.

“Love has no boundaries.”