Lee Chapman

1946 - 2020

Lee Chapman obituary, 1946-2020, Lawrence, KS

BORN

1946

DIED

2020

Lee Chapman Obituary

Patricia Lee Chapman, 74, of Lawrence, passed away on November 26, 2020, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital as a result of complications from COVID-19.

Lee was born November 5, 1946, in Tampa, Florida to Joe and Doris, Chapman. As her father was in the Air Force, the family lived in various places when she was young. Her favorite memories were of the years in the mid-1950s when they resided in the small town of Woburn Sands, in England. In adulthood, she lived at various times in the San Francisco Bay area, Salina, Tucson, Staten Island, and Lawrence.

After graduating from Salina High School, she studied drawing, painting, and printmaking at Oakland City College, then the San Francisco Art Institute in California, as well as the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

In 1969, Lee married Kenneth Irving in Lawrence, and four years later their daughter Jessica was born. From 1974 to 2003 (and despite separation in 1996 and then divorce in 1999) Lee and Kenneth both worked in various capacities for the national newsstand publication American Astrology, first in Tucson, and then in New York City.

It was during her time in New York that Lee started the literary journal and press, First Intensity, which she produced from 1993 until 2008, which featured numerous authors and artists of note including Diane Ackerman, Aaron Morgan Brown, John Gary Brown, William S. Burroughs, Lisa Bourbeau, Clare Doveton, Diane di Prima, Theodore Enslin, Barry Gifford, Kenneth Irby, Robert Kelly, Gerrit Lansing, Leila Lalami, Stanley Lombardo, Jim McCrary, Duncan McNaughton, John Moritz, John Olson, Judith Roitman, Andre Spears, S. Clay Wilson, and many more.

Lee's work as an artist was often interwoven with her work as an editor and publisher. She created many original drawings as covers for books of poetry. Her work is in several private collections across the U.S. In 2008 she was a recipient of the Phoenix Award from the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission for her work as an artist, editor, and publisher and her place as a linchpin of the local cultural community.

After an absence of over 20 years, Lee moved back to Lawrence, KS in 1996. Lawrence had always felt the most like "home" of all the places she had lived. Her home became a cultural salon of sorts, with regular gatherings that drew friends and literary luminaries alike.

Lee is survived by her daughter, Jessica, son-in-law William, grandsons Krishna and Max, brother, Michael Chapman, and sister-in-law, Mary. She is predeceased by her parents, Joe and Doris Chapman, and brother Jack Chapman.

A celebration of Lee's life will be held at a later date to be posted on her website leechapmanarchive.com. Donations in her name can be made to the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Health Foundation CARE Fund to support LMH Health employees affected by the COVID-19 crisis, or to LMH's COVID-19 Area of Greatest Need Fund to support hospital needs such as supplies and equipment.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Dec. 9, 2020.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Lee Chapman

Not sure what to say?





4 Entries

The world is richer for the art and connectivity Lee created. The words and images are there, and they will be there still. Thank you, Lee.

William Keckler

February 3, 2021

A brilliant artist, poet, writer,& beauty with a wry sense of humor- never to be forgotten.....

JOSIE GRANT

Friend

December 10, 2020

A brilliant artist, poet, beauty, a true original-
with a wry sense of humor- never to be forgotten......

JOSIE GRANT

Friend

December 10, 2020

On behalf of the Salina High School Class of 1965, I would offer our sincere sympathy and prayers to her family. Helen Bogart Robb

Helen Bogart Robb

Friend

December 9, 2020

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in Lee Chapman's name

Memorial Events
for Lee Chapman

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Lee's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Lee Chapman's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more