AUBURN – Leola Paine Chapman, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, June 11.

She was born and raised in Mechanic Falls, the daughter of Charles and Christie Hunt Paine. She graduated from Mechanic Falls High School. After graduation she worked in Washington, D.C., for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, she went on to work at Marcal Paper Mill in Mechanic Falls then worked at and retired from WMTW TV station.

She attended the Advent Christian Church in Mechanic Falls. She married Robert W. Chapman III on July 1, 1946. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life. Not only was she called Nana by her own family, but by any child that had the pleasure of being part of her life. She was known for her empathy, compassion, sense of humor, and her willingness to help anyone in need.

She is survived by her son, Robert Chapman IV and his wife, Janis, of Brunswick; daughters, Cathi Smith and her husband, Ralph, and Sonia Chapman Schnopp, all of Mechanic Falls; a son-in-law, Thomas Herrick of Mechanic Falls; seven grandchildren, Stacia Chapman-Gorey, Robert (Bo) Chapman V, Maya Chapman, Tisha Smith and Tobey Smith, Heath Herrick and Ashley Herrick Edwards; seven great-grandchildren with one on the way; one great-great-granddaughter; a brother-in-law, Bill Libby of Mechanic Falls; a sister-in-law, Barbara Davis of Oxford; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert in 1993: a brother, Lawrence; and five sisters, Louise, Leahtene, Leida, Luella and Lorraine.

The family would like to give thanks to the staff at Clover Manor in Auburn for the love and care they gave Leola the past five years. A special thank you to the staff on Side 3 Alzheimer’s Unit.