"May you be pain free! Didn't matter how Barbara felt she always had a smile on her face when I would see her. I was Blessed to have met her. "
In loving memory of
Barbara Chipman
September 30, 2011
Barbara Leota Boydston Chipman, 66, of Ft. Madison, Iowa, passed away on Friday, September 30, 2011, at her home with family by her side after a courageous 11-year battle with breast cancer.
Barbara Leota was born July 28, 1945, in Portland, Oregon, the only child of Sarah Gladys Diamond and Walter Ethan Boydston. She married Edward Marion McKenzie on June 16, 1964. They had a daughter, Terrie Lynn Lorey of Keokuk.
On December 20, 1966, she married Maurice DeBrackeleire. She was the mother of their three sons, Patrick Lee DeBrackeleire of Kahoka, Missouri, Michael Maurice DeBrackeleire of Keokuk, David Andrew DeBrackeleire of Ft. Madison, and a daughter Michelle Renee DeBrackeleire of Centralia, Missouri. She was also the stepmother to his two sons, Maurice Ray Alfonse DeBrackeleire of Rock Island, Illinois and Norman John Henry DeBrackeleire of Montrose.
Barbara married her soul mate Gary Chipman on April 6, 1999, adding to her family once more with two stepdaughters, Teri Ann Roberge of Rock Island, Illinois and Bobbi Lynn Chipman of Iowa City, Iowa.
Her greatest accomplishment after her eight children was earning her degree in accounting from Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa. She was an avid reader; she loved crossword and Sudoku puzzles, and spending time with her best friend and "Sister-by-choice" Sierra Sue Bryant of Keokuk. She also loved traveling with her husband Gary and friend Betty Ballard. Of the places they traveled, she was particularly moved by the beauty of the Grand Canyon.
She is survived by her children, 34 grandchildren, and 25 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a grandson Keegan Andrew Dodds, a granddaughter and her husband Tabitha and Buddy Smith, a daughter-in-law Darlene DeBrackeleire, and a "niece" Connie Sue Bryant Jackson.
Tributes
"Barb has been a dear friend for many years. We lost contact but she was always on my mind. Our children grow up together, I have so many wonderful memories of our lives that we shared.I will never forget the wonderful person that lives on in my heart, she will truly be missed by all of us that knew her heart and have felt her love..."
"I've known Barb for over 30 years, she excepted me into this crazy family with open arms. She was even the coolest mom-in-law when Ray and I got divorced, still loving me as family. Barb your the best with awesome children. You will very much missed and forever loved. For me 2 moms in one year(this bites) please keep each other out of trouble.Enter your favorite memory or a condolence"