Elizabeth Chapman

Elizabeth Christine (McEneaney) Chapman passed away on February 2, 2015 at a local care facility in Billings, Mont. She was 96 years old. She was the daughter of Thomas and Secelia (Simonson) McEneaney and was born in Spokane, Wash, on February 10, 1918. At the time, her parents were homesteading near Valentine, Mont. Shortly after her birth, her parents returned to their family home in Menomonie, Wis. Known as Liz to family and friends, she graduated from the Menomonie High School and moved to St. Paul, Minn, where she received training in music. She also attended a Beauty college in St. Paul & earned her license. Liz was a good time gal who used her musical talent to sing with the big bands in Chicago and St. Paul. She sang with the well known Doc Evans Jazz Band in St. Paul and Chicago. She knew both Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, who were well known musicians and big band leaders of the era. Liz married James Chapman on August 19, 1939 in Menomonie. They met when she knocked him down at a roller skating rink. Jim was stationed at a local Civilian Construction Camp (CCC) and later in life became project manager for large construction projects throughout the world. Liz tried to juggle her love of music with raising a family. After the first children arrived, she continued to sing in St. Paul and Chicago and worked for a large printing company, Brown and Bigelow in St. Paul. After some years of residing in St. Paul, she returned to Menomonie and continued to raise her family. She stayed active in music as a member of the Sweet Adelines. In 1956 Liz moved her family of seven children to Billings, Mont, due to the health of one of her children. She contacted one of the local Barbershop men's singing groups and asked if there was a local woman's group. There was none, so she established the first Sweet Adeline chapter in Montana. She stayed active with this group until her later years as a performer, costumer, makeup artist and stagecraft manager, mostly with a local theater group. Liz is survived by her son, Thomas Chapman and Tammy of Lehi, Utah, and daughters Patricia Longland and Harlan of Marysville, Wash., Francele Hopkins and Doran of Summerville, Ore., Carol Brown and Michael of Fresno, Calif., Michelle Bailey of Billings, Mont., and Lynn Jackson and Donald of Casper, Wyo. She was predeceased by her daughter, Kathleen Cherry. She had 14 grandchildren and several great and great-great grandchildren. Anyone who knew Liz Chapman will never forget her. She was a character. She has requested no services, but that her life be celebrated. A memorial or Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.