Kristin Kelly Chipman passed away peacefully at her home in Chicago on Dec. 11, 2018. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends who had stood by her side during her long and courageous fight against ovarian cancer.
She was born on Sept. 12 in Lansing, Mich., to Barbara Chipman Miller and Clark Chipman. She was the light of her family’s life and was adored by her stepfather, Alan Miller (“MM”), her stepmother, Jane Stahmer, her younger sister, Karyn Chipman Rockwell, her only niece, Lauren Hope Rockwell, and her partner for life, Jeff Rittmueller, who was steadfast in his commitment to caring for her always with love, care and patience. She is also survived by her step-siblings, Kristen, Gigi, Melissa, Eric and Kyra Miller and John and Christopher Stahmer, along with many close aunts, uncles and cousins from the West Coast to the Midwest – Barta, John, Bridget, Bruce, Mark and Mitzi, to name only a few, as well as countless friends whose lives she so deeply touched.
She graduated from Evanston Township High School in 1981 and Albion College in 1985. Her loyalty and infectious personality were the glue that kept her high school and college friends together. She had a 20-year plus career working for Levy Organization, where she climbed the ladder to Director of Treasury. She loved her career and her colleagues became her supportive and extended family.
Ms. Chipman was always the life of the party; she was a huge Cubs fan; loved historic homes; and cherished her golden retriever, Winston, who never left her side. She had a passion for genealogy and sought high and low for more information about relatives who came over on the Mayflower; she even found her mother’s blood relatives just a few months before she died. Her favorite pastimes were hanging out on her back porch with her Edgewater neighbors; spending time at the family cottage planting, swimming and grilling; and dancing to her favorite artist, Prince.
A service of celebration of her life will take place at 3 p.m. on Jan. 26 at The First Congregational Church of Wilmette, 1125 Wilmette Avenue. A gathering for family and friends will be held afterward, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Firehouse Grill, 750 Chicago Ave.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Care for Real, an organization dedicated to ensuring families in need have adequate food and care for themselves and their beloved pets. Those who wish to make a donation should go to careforreal.org, click on “Donate” and mention Pet Pantry and Kristin Chipman’s name in the comments section for specific donations on her behalf.