Barbara Frances Chippendale

Barbara Frances Chippendale, 97, a resident of SW Florida since 1985, formerly of Baltimore, MD, passed away Monday, November 23, 2020 in Cape Coral, FL. She was born January 30, 1923 in Lynn, MA to Ivor and Frances Burpee, now deceased.

Barbara was a crazy beautiful soul.  She loved beautiful clothing, jewelry, and bright colors.  Early in her life she did modeling for a department store and went on to be a buyer for that store.  Those who knew her knew that she was an accomplished seamstress making most of her own clothing.  She taught many people to sew over the years, except her own daughter for whom she continued to mend and hem clothing.  She laughed in the knowledge that her daughter would forever be taping or stapling her hems in her absence. 

She idolized and adored her older brother, Dick.  She told stories of their adventures away from the stern eyes of their mother.  On her last visit with Dick before he passed away, she took a picture of him.  He was sitting in the living room and they were cutting up much like siblings do.  She asked him to be serious so she could take his picture.  He smiled sweetly for the camera.  Months later, after he passed and the film was developed, we saw that final picture of Dick smiling sweetly to his little sister, while sending her a not so serious message.  

There were many stories of her courtship with Fred, but the cutest one was the proposal when Fred said “I think we have something special here.  If you feel the same, we will continue, if not let’s part ways”.  She thought for a half a second and said “Ok”.  Very romantic.  73 years proved that they did, indeed, have something special.  

She loved babies, all babies, her babies, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, children in the grocery store and children in pictures.  She loved to hold babies and take care of them.  She was a MOTHER for all.  Friends of all her children remember her fondly and were honored to be “adopted” as her own.  She was nurturing to all babies, including fur babies. 

She was extremely proud of her work in the startup and growth of the Bear Essentials school store and made some of her closest friends while at Roland Park County School from the 70’s through the late 80s”.  She hated to leave her friends but hated the cold winters and was happy to retire with Fred to Bonita Springs. 

She loved to travel and did travel much of the United States with Fred and the children.  She was able to travel to Europe with her daughter to Greece and Turkey in the 90’s and numerous cruises with family.  Two years ago went on her “bucket list” trip of a river cruise down the Danube.  Having breakfast while cruising through Budapest took her breath away, she enjoyed Viennese coffee and toured the Christmas markets.  She even got to see Paris for the evening on that trip. 

She loved to party and would always tell her family that when she passed she did not want any services, no tears, no ceremonies – she would say, “just throw a huge party and celebrate my life.  I am happy, I am really happy!”

She is survived by five loving children, Dana Chippendale (Nancy) of LeGrange, GA, Craig Chippendale (Margaret) of Baltimore, MD, Brent Chippendale (Jan) of Bedford, PA, Scott Chippendale (Kathy) of Clinton, TN, and Maura Chippendale (Marcelo Pignatta) of Miramar Lakes, FL; 12 grandchildren; as well as 18 great grandchildren.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frederick Earl Chippendale in 2016.

No formal services are planned at this time, just a huge party when it is safe to gather in a large group.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Barbara Frances Chippendale are suggested to The Darkhorse Lodge for combat veterans www.darkhorselodge.org, 1951 Swor Road, Springville, TN 38256 or Hope Hospice https://hopehcs.org/, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.