A Chronicle, Too
Beatrice and FrancisChapman
My mother, Beatrice Buckley was the 9th and youngest surviving child of Eva and Dennis Buckley. Here are few stories that she told her children about her parents. Grandpa never drove, but Grandma did and she always parked the car in barn that was on an incline. One day Grandpa was waiting for Grandma in the car while it was still in the barn, she got in and started the car, all of a sudden Grandpa yelled, “Stop, stop Eva”. He gets out the car, goes down the incline, and yells to her come on! It dawns on her that all the other times he always waited down the incline for her, she yells back “You damn fool it’s alright if I kill myself driving down this incline?Well, I’m not moving until you get back into this car”.
During a summer in 1938 or later, my Mother and Grandma worked at Rocky Point, in Eagle Bay, NY as housekeepers for cottages there. My father,Francis Chapman picked up Grandpa to spend the weekend with Grandma. On the ride Grandpa question my father on how fast they were going. He said “only 30 mph”, Grandpa then pointed to speedometer which indicated 55. Dad said “oh that’s the radio station”. Grandpa believed him. They got there without any difficulties. When Grandpa asked Grandma where that young fella went, who brought him up there, she said he is dating your daughter.
I don’t remember Grandma but I remember Grandpa, visiting him at Aunt Marguerite’s. He would always give us pennies and when we gave our goodbyes, he would get teary-eyed.
Susan Chapman Blair
One way to honor Beatrice’s and Francis’ legacy is to recounted their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Vincent and Lucille (Cuifo) Chapman have been married for 50 years, since 1966. They have three children, Janet, Vincent and Melissa, six grand children and two great grand children.
Charles and Sharon (LaTray) Chapman have been married for 43 years, since1972. They live in East Syracuse, NY.
Mary & Mike married in 1970 and celebrated 45 year together this past April. Son Mike & Tonjua married since 2000. Granddaughters Julianna 14 Anneliese 10
Susan married Clarence Blair in 2011. Clarence has grown children from previous marriage, daughter Michelle DeBlois has 3 daughters Brittany, Brianna, and Bethany. His son Michael has 2 daughters Gwenyth and Elisa. Susan’s daughter Sara married Jon Orsino on June 2011. Their daughter, Ariana was born in March 2012. Her son Shane and his significant other Lisa Netzband and she has three sons, Connor, Gab and Nathan
Janice has three children, Jessica (Born 1983), James (born 1987) and Jackie (born 1990). Jessica is married to Troy Smith . They have two daughters Peyton (born 2012) and Emma (born 2015).
My mother, Beatrice Buckley Chapman, was the youngest and I’m told the spoiled child of Dennis and Eva. I knew her as a devoted mother of six children: Vincent, Judith, Charles, Michael, Susan, and Janice. I am her oldest daughter and this is from my perspective. She was prideful and taught me not to air our dirty laundry in public. A neighbor once asked her why she didn’t give some of her kids away to have a better life. She let him know she would dig ditches first before giving up any of her children. Mom stood only 4 ft 11 and 1/2 inches tall and always said that 1/2 inch was very important. She only wore a size 3 1/2 shoe. My sisters and I could wear her heels for dress up at a young age. My mother could be fierce and did at times, when provoked, get her Irish up. Once she took on a bully who was beating his girlfriend. She picked up a broom and beat him with the handle. When he turned on her she told him if she couldn’t take him out her husband and 3 sons would and he backed off.
My dad, Francis Chapman, was a great father, not such a good husband. Don’t get me wrong, he loved her, but strayed and this led to tension in the family. But where did a woman with children go in those days? So they worked it out. Money was another item that added to family difficulties. My Mom and Dad both suffered from depression and anxiety but always pulled together to raise 6 fine children.
I led an apparently successful life, having been married young to Gleason Burkett. We had two wonderful daughters, Lynn and Jennifer. Lynn married Jeff Pinard and had Joshua, Rachael, and Hannah. Jenn married John Fessia and adopted Jillian and Tanner.
For myself, depression and anxiety started in childhood. Approaching middle age, I had a severe breakdown that led me to seek help from my doctor. With the right medicine, talk therapy, and some life changes I have found myself to be in a good place. My writing this is meant to address one issue that hasn’t been discussed enough, that of mental illness. I have been told I have PTSD. This in my case is a combination of childhood trauma, life experiences, and hormone imbalance.
I remember all my uncles and aunts fondly and enjoyed their visits. Family reunions were very special to me and I am proud to be a member of the Buckley clan. We’ve become a diverse and exceptional family and I hate to see our reunions end. Life moves way too fast these days and spending time with our families appears to be old school. You can never get these years or your loved ones back, so take the time to enjoy the important things and build memories that last and add to the Buckley legacy.
Judy Burkett