Barbara Chaffee

OXFORD – Barbara Chaffee, 99, formerly of Oxford and Longwood, Florida, passed away at the Gilchrist Hospice Center in Maryland on July 30, 2023, after a brief illness. Mrs. Chaffee was the daughter of the late Clarence Smith and Sadie (Ormsbee) Smith. She received her undergraduate degree from Westbrook College in Maine and worked for some of her early years as a secretary at Clark University. Barbara spent much of her married life in Oxford where she was active in local civic activities through her volunteering at a hospital, serving on the hospital’s board, and through her memberships in the Oxford Garden Club and Woman’s Club, for which she served as president.

In her later years, she relocated to Florida and enjoyed spending her summers in Cape Cod. Barbara was talented at knitting, especially at making sweaters for her grandchildren and hats and mittens for family members. She was an avid reader, gardener, and crossword puzzle solver. While in Florida, she played bridge, golfed with the “Swinging Niners,” and participated in the activities of the Winter Park Garden Club. However, her favorite activity was spending time with and entertaining her family and friends.

Barbara was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Sorace (James); daughter-in-law, Anne Chaffee; four grandchildren, Jolianne Boucher (Nick), Roger Chaffee, Cheryl Agaskar (Ameya), and Brian Sorace (Aubrey); and five great grandchildren. She was predeceased by Warren, her husband of fifty-six years, by her two sons, Bruce and Scott, and by her brother, Ellsworth.

Barbara’s family thanks everyone at Brightview Senior Living Mays Chapel Ridge for their friendship and excellent care of her during her final years. The family also thanks the Gilchrist Hospice Center. To honor Barbara’s life, a graveside service will take place at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the North Cemetery, Main Street, Oxford. Paradis-Givner Funeral Home is directing arrangements. Rev. Byungmoo Lee, officiating.