Doris Marie Chadwick, 91, of Galesburg lived a life of love, service, and joy. On April 13, 2023, she passed on to join her beloved of 74 years, Larry Chadwick.
Doris Marie McBride was born on December 1, 1931, in Joy, Illinois to Ruby and Lester McBride. She was the 4th of 8 children born on the dairy farm. Doris excelled in school and was the first person in her family to attend college. She was also active in the arts singing the alto solo in the school production of Handel’s Messiah; playing the lead female role in the school play of Romeo and Juliet; and she was the Majorette – yes, the one with the baton!
It was in 1949 that she met a precocious, funny, determined cadet who was playing Friar Lawrence in their senior play, Romeo and Juliet. This cadet from Roosevelt Military Academy was smitten with Doris writing her notes, inviting her out on dates, and giving her thoughtful little gifts. He did not give up and Doris did finally give into his charming ways saying to her mother, “I don’t date cadets. I will probably regret this the rest of my life.”
The rest of her life it was! Doris married that unstoppable cadet, Laurence Samuel Chadwick, on August 19, 1951. Only it was not regret, it was steadfast love, loyalty, adventure, romance, raising a family, building a legacy of service, and living a lifetime full of joy, friends, and laughter.
Doris led a life of service to her family, her friends, her church, her community, and to even those less fortunate in 3rd world countries. She was the Sunday School teacher, the “Home Room Mom” for Connie and Bob, the scout leader for Bob’s Cub Scout Den, the neighborhood mom who had the kids over, the middle-school Youth Leader at the church, and she and Larry helped lead the high school UMC Youth Groups and took the kids on retreats!
Being a talented artist and extremely creative person, she offered her time and painting skills to the Cottage Hospital Resale Shop. She volunteered countless hours there in addition to her contribution of painted objects, wreaths, and decorations for them to sell. Doris was the one to decorate the church and the country club for Christmas. And you can bet her friends asked her to create the table decorations for their events and parties.
Doris took cooking classes from the great chefs of her time. She loved to entertain in their gorgeous home sharing her love of gourmet food, antique china, and artfully decorated tables. She also loved to host her PEO Sisters for meetings. Doris was a 50-year member joining the International Sisterhood in December of 1969. She served in every office including being President. She loved PEO so much that she attended the meeting, and walked to it, on what was to be her last day. The Clio Club, established in 1894, was a study club created by the wives of the Knox College faculty members so they could study history, write and present papers, and socialize. Doris joined that club in April of 1968 and was an officer, created the yearbooks, or held a committee chair most of the 55 years of her active membership.
Being married to an athlete, Doris figured out pretty quickly that she better learn a sport so she could spend more time with Larry. Golf was her sport of choice. She started playing in her 30’s, becoming an avid student of the sport, a great member of a foursome showing true sportsmanship, and a fierce, fair competitor. She was an active member of the Ladies’ Golf Association of Soangetaha Country Club holding the President’s position and her favorite job was being Publicity Chair because she loved making everyone else look good. Doris won the club championship in her flight multiple times and proudly displayed her trophies at home. A highlight of her golfing career was having 3 hole-in-ones all on number 12 on her home course. Doris and Larry joined Soangetaha Country Club in May of 1961.
Doris was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Laurence S. Chadwick in 2022 and her son, Robert Laurence Chadwick in 1978. Doris is survived by her daughter, Constance Marie Kean, her grandchildren, Laurence Chadwick “Chad” Kean and Victoria Marie “Torre” Kean (Carlos Capistran) and her great-grandchildren James Carlos and Luna Teresa Capistran.
Private family burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. The Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church. Rev. Vince Rohn will officiate. The Celebration of Life will follow the service. The family will receive friends and loved ones at Soangetaha Country Club. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or to the PEO International Educational Fund. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be left for the family on the funeral home’s website at www.h-p-w.com.
