Lauren Suzanne Chapman, age 72, of Lancaster NY passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026.

Lauren was born on July 2, 1953 to Richard and Dorothy Lazewski at Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, NY.  She grew up attending St. Mary's High School before obtaining her BA in Home Economics Education at Arizona State University, her MA in Home Economics Education at Buffalo State, and her BA in History at the University of Maryland (Asian Division in Okinawa Japan).

Lauren served honorably in the Marine Corps Reserves at Cherry Point, North Carolina.  She was appointed the rank of First Lieutenant. While serving in North Carolina, she met and married Mike Chapman, Jr in August of 1983. They welcomed their first son, Christopher, the following year. Upon retiring from the Marines, the family moved to Okinawa, Japan with Mike's assignment there in the Marines. There they welcomed their second son Carter in 1987.

Upon returning state side, Lauren raised her family while working as a substitute teacher. She later would teach home economics full time at Alden Middle School and Lancaster Middle School until her retirement in 2013.

Lauren was the loving wife of the late Mike Chapman, Jr.; the beloved mother of Callie, Chris  and Carter (Helen) Chapman; the doting grandmother of Yuritzi Chapman-Ruiz and Nicholas Jones; the cherished sister of Lance (Marsha) Lazewski and the late David (Karen) and Wayne (Karla) Lazewski; and the compassionate aunt of Jennifer (Ted) Nalbone, Sarah (John) Corrao, Ryan (Alyssa) Lazewski, and Kristin (Bob) Hellerer.

Lauren will be remembered as a lover of cooking, teaching, history, and traveling. For her times working alongside friends and family at Sattler's. For her Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and hosting summer cookouts. For her delicious recipes of chicken and dumplings, monkey bread, macaroni and cheese, and chrusciki. For her sharp wit, loyal devotion to her family and friends, her love of animals, and the warmth she decorated her home.

Family will receive relatives and loved ones at Wendel & Loecher Funeral Home, 27 Aurora St, Lancaster, NY on Thursday, April 16th from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's of the Assumption Church on Friday, April 17th at 9:30am.  Share condolences at wendelandloecherinc.com