Lillian V. (Ray) Chipman, 100, of Bradford, died Friday, April 3, at Penacook Place Nursing Home, Haverhill.
She was born in Haverhill, May 4, 1914, only child of the late John Z. Ray, DDS, and Alice F. (Morse) Ray. Educated in the Haverhill school system, she graduated from Haverhill High, class of 1931. Chipman furthered her education by graduating from Lasell Junior College, now known as Lasell College, and also from McIntosh Business School. Chipman was employed as a bookkeeper at the former Haverhill/Lawrence Transportation. After her marriage to the late Lester D. Chipman, they resided in Merrimac where they raised their family. They moved back to Bradford in 1973 and she was the oldest living member of First Church of Christ, Bradford and a former member of its choir. For more than 50 years Chipman was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and also was a member of the Rainbow Girls Assembly, Lawrence, Past Matron and Secretary of Bethel Chapter #71, O.E.S., Merrimac, Past Deputy Grand Marshall of Grand Chapter of Massachusetts O.E.S., Member of Fidelity Chapter #90, Haverhill, Past Worthy High Priestess of Haverhill Shrine #1, Order of White Shrine Jerusalem, Supreme Queens Attendant of Supreme Shrine, member of Supreme Obituary Committee, Past Noble Grand of Whittier Rebekah Lodge #17, Merrimac, District Deputy President of the Rebekah Assembly, a member of Brigadier General James Brickett/Old Newbury Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, member of the Daughter’s of the Nile, the Amaranth, and while residing in Merrimac was a member of Pilgrim Congregational Church, Merrimac, where she also sang in its choir.
She and her husband traveled to Europe, Hawaii and Aruba, among other places in the late 1970s to early 1980s. She often commented on what a great time she had. As a young woman she traveled by train to California to visit friends and stopped at the Grand Canyon on the way back and rode a mule to the bottom of the canyon. After her husband’s passing in 1999, Lillian continued to volunteer at Penacook Place Nursing Home until well into her 90s, visiting several residents a day and telling them jokes. People would remark “here comes the lady with all the jokes.” She was always knitting baby sweaters and outfits for family and others, as well as donating handcrafted items to various Church fairs and Penacook Place. Chipman was always very respectful of others and often remarked “if you don’t have something nice to say about someone, then don’t say anything at all”. She lived by that motto. She was visited by the Mayor on her 95th birthday.Chipman received numerous citations from local and national politicians, including receiving a Presidential Citation on her 100th birthday, which was celebrated with an open house party at First Church of Christ, Bradford.
Her survivors include three daughters, Alice E. Russell and her husband Milton of Kingston, N.H., Linda R. Allbee of Dover, Del., Harriet L. Duffy and her life partner John Arroyo of Bradford, seven grandchildren, Kenneth L. Russell of Kingston, N.H., Bernard J. Russell and his wife Vanessa of Oxford, Penn., Kevin M. Russell and his wife Lisa of Derry, N.H., Alan C. Russell of Kingston, N.H., Angela Allbee of Dover, Del., Heather M. Allbee of Dover, Del., Sean A. Duffy of Bradford, nine great grandchildren, Antonio (Tony) M. Allbee, Shyanne Allbee, Gaven C. Allbee, Nova E.R. Allbee, Jordan L. Allbee, Dylan A. Allbee, Cordell W. Allbee, Lillian Faith Russell, Daisy Patricia Russell, as well as several nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Reginald W. “Web” Ray Jr. and his wife Mona of Nantucket, several great nieces and great nephews and a longtime special friend, Elaine Najuch of Methuen.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her calling hours Tuesday, April 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St., Haverhill. Her Funeral Service will be Wednesday morning, April 8, at 11 in First Church of Christ, Bradford. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford. In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to Penacook Place Activities Department, 150 Water St., Haverhill, MA 01830.